Full text of "Illustrated Toronto : past and present, being an historical and descriptive guide-book : comprising its architecture, manufacture, trade; its social, literary, scientific, and charitable institutions: its churches, schools, and colleges : and other principal points of interest to the visitor and resident : together with a key to the publisher's bird's-eye view of the city"

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HANDBOUND
AT THE

UNIN'ERSITY OF
TORONTO PRESS

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2015

https://archive.org/details/illustratedtoronOOtimp

PAST AND PRESENT,

BEING AN

HISTORIGAL AND DESCmPTlVE (lUIDE-EOOK ;

COMPRISING

Its Arcliitecture, Manufacture, Trade ; its Social, Literary, Scientific,
and Charitable Institutions ; its Churches, Schools, and Colleges ;
and other Principal Points of Interest to the
Visitor and Resident,

TOGETHER WITH

A Key to the Publisher's Bird's-Eye View of the eity.

COMPILED BY J. TIMPERLAKE.

Eiltt^trateb toith o^n (Sixtg Pagers of Coior^li '^ithoQxnph&.

TORONTO :

PUBLISHED BY PETER A. GROSS.
1877.

TORONTO : PRINTEC BY W. G. GIBSON, KING STREET WEST.

PREFACE.

P E f y\ C E .

LLUSTEATED TOEONTO, Past and Present, does not
claim to be an original work. In the following pages an
attempt lias been made to bring together facts relative to
the growth of Toronto found scattered through the works of numerous
authors, who have written more or less respecting the Queen City of
the West. Toronto being the largest, wealthiest, and most important
city in the Province of Ontario, it is desirable that its rapid growth,
wealth and advantages as a commercial city, should be known amongst
its citizens and visitors. Many facts and incidents which should have
been given will no doubt be found to be omitted ; but in a city so large'
so flourishing, so varied in its commercial, manufacturing and trading
interests, and containing so many public buildings, churches, colleges,
religious and charitable institutions, such omissions will, I feel assured,
be regarded in this, the »first edition of the work, with a kindly spirit,
and more especially when it is known that only a few months have been
spent in compiling ^^knd arranging the whole matter. Although con-
siderable care and attention has been employed it is not presumed that
upon a first attempt a work of this nature can be quite perfect, and it
is therefore hoped that the public indulgence will be granted to

THE COMPILER.

Toronto, July, 1877.

KEY TO bird's-eye VIEW.

KEY TO BIRD'S-EYE VIEW.

The Lithographic Bird's Eye View, to which the following pages form
a key, has been nearly three years in preparation, and has entailed an
amount of labour that is clearly magnified upon an inspection of this
work. This picture of Toronto is five feet by three feet three inches, is
printed in three colours, and the mechanical execution of which reflects
the highest credit upon Messrs. Copp, Clark & Co., a firm whose reputa-
tion is well known through the entire Dominion for the excellence of their
lithographic printing. Mr. Gross, the artist and delineator, sketched and
lithographed the city from actual survey, every avenue, street, lane, and
alley, having been traversed by him ; and every building, either store,
private residence,, or public building, etc., etc., has been drawn with a
faithfulness and a minuteness that excites astonishment and admiration
in all beholders. He has so drawn his picture as to present at one glance
a bird's-eye view of Toronto and its northern suburbs, as if seen from a
south-eastern portion of the island at an elevation of about 5,00c feet
above the level of the lake. This part of the view, with the foreground of
the picture, comprises the harbour, wharves, elevators, and principal
manufactories of the city, while the background is formed of Rosedale and
Yorkville, and the villages of Seaton and Brockton.

REFERENCES TO BIRD'S-EYE VIEW.
The following letters and numbers (which are marked on the buildings in the
large view) indicate the position of the various public buildings, institutions,
manufactories, warehouses, and principal houses of the city : —

A. — Post Office, Adelaide Street, opposite Toronto Street.

B. — City Hall, Front Street east.

C. — St. Lawrence Hall and Market, King Street east.

D. — Police Court, Court Street, running from Toronto to Church Streets.

E. — Court House, Adelaide Street east.

F. — Osgoode Hall, Queen Street west.

G. — Normal School and Educational Offices. The square is bounded on the
east by Church street, north b}' Gerrard street, west by Victoria street, south by
Gould street,

H. — Mechanics' Institute, corner of Adelaide and Church Streets.

I. — Crystal Palace, King Street west, near city limits.

J. — General Hospital. The square is bounded on the north by Spruce
Street, on the east by Sumach street, on the west by Pine Street, on the south
by Gerrard Street.

K. — Lieutenant-Governor's Residence, corner of King and Simcoe Streets.

L. — Parliament Buildings, Front Street west.

M. — Custom House, corner of Front and Yonge streets.

N. — Examining Warehouse, corner of Yonge and Esplanade Streets.

O. — Lunatic Asylum, Queen Street west (city limits).

P. — Central Prison, near Old Fort.

Q. — Adjutant-General's Office, Toronto Street.

R. — House of Industry, Power Street.

S. — Boys' Home, Frederick Street.

T. — Girls' Home, Gerrard Street.

U. — Horticultural Gardens. Is bounded on the north by Carlton Street, east
by Sherbourne Street, south by Gerrard Street.

V. — St. Andrew's Market, foot of Esther Street-

W. — Assistant Receiver-General's Office, Toronto street.

X, — Albert Hall, Yonge Street, above Queen.

Y. — Esplanade Street. ,

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

FIRE HALLS.

Yonge Street, E i, Yonge Street, between Grenville and Grosvenor Streets.
Portland Street, E 2, between Richmond and Queen Streets.
Berkeley Street, E 3, between King and Duke Streets,
Court Streec, E 4, Court Street.

Bay Street, E 5, between Adelaide and Temperance Streets.
Manufacturing Establishments.

Toronto Car Wheel Co B 2

Robert Hav & Co B 3

Withrow & Hillock B 4

G. D. Morse & Co B 5

Davis & Co B 6

Dickey, Neill & Co B 7

Fox & Co B 8

John Perkins B 9

John Taylor & Co B o

Edwin Wilby C i

S. S. Mutton & Co C 2

Connor, Webb & Co C 3

J. H. Clark & Co C 4

10 hn Holmes C 5

Booth & Sons C 6

J. & J. Taylor & Co C 8

J. P. Wagner C 9

Joseph Gearing Co

TT_„i: V. n„t i,:„ J) t

Hastings & Peterkin.

Breweries.

Toronto Brewing and Malting Co.

Davis Bros

Copland's Brewery

Cosgrave & Co

Gooderham & Worts ;

Wholesale Warehouses.

McMaster Bros.. i

John Macdonald*& Co 2

Samson, Kennedy & Gemmel 3

Adam, Stevenson & Co 4

Thos. May & Co 5

J. Gillespie & Co 6

Ogilvy & Co 7

Thomson & Burns S

Thos. Layley and Robert McPhail 9

Samuel Sterns 10

Cramp, Torrances & Co 11

McNab & Marsh 12

White & Co 13

Phillips, Thorne & Co )

John Rennie & Co )

Dobbie & Carrie 16

J. G. Joseph & Co )

McGiverin, Kerrigan & Co r 17

Galbraith, Christie & Co )

Pearcy & Ste\vart i8

Lyman Bros 19

John Hallam 20

Furniss Bros 21

Crane & l)aird 22

Nnrris iV Soper 2.,

Mason, Kisch & Newcombe 2^

John iMsken 2,

Hughes Bros 2.

Nelson (.K: Sons 25

Eetail and Wholesale Stores.

Glover Harrison 40

Thomas Griffith & Co 42

Hamilton, J. P 1

Cameron iS; Kippax J ''^-^

J. H. Rogers

Walker & Ross

William Gordon

John Young

Ridout & Co

Taylor & Wilson

Bell & Co,

John Riddell

Joseph Stovel

George Coleman

J. D. Nasmith

Miller & McClelland....
William Hewitt & Co.
James Shields & Co....

Insurance Companies.

Scott & Walmsley

Lancashire Insurance Co

Western Insurance Co

British America Insurance Co

Hotels.

Queen's

Rossin

American

Windsor

St. James

Shakespeare
Johnston

Banks.

Royal Canadian Bank.

Bank of Montreal

Federal Bank

Imperial Bank

Bank of Toronto

Quebec Bank

Clubs.

U. R..Club

National Club.

A I
A 2
A3
A4

A7
A6
A5

F 2
F I

Railroads.

Northern Railway Station

Colleges.

Knox College.

Upper Canada College

Churches.

Metropolitan Church

St. James' Cathedral

St. Michael's Cathedral

St. Andrew's Church

3 4

0*2

Residences-

G. D. Morse

H. S. Howland..

John Hallam

A. M. Smith

John McDonald.
S. Nordheimer...

90
OK

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Rise and Growth of Towns and Cities — Toronto One Hundred Years
Ago — Governor Simcoe — The First Parliament of Upper Canada
— Selection of the Site for the New Capital of Upper Canada —
Governor Simcoe's Removal to York — Building of the Town
Roads — Appearance of York in 1794-95 — President Russell —
First Newspaper in York — Governor Hunter — First Market —
Erection of St. James' Church — Dr. O. Stewart — York in 1806 —
The First Mail 17-27

CHAPTER n.

Governor Gore — Difficulties of Early Settlers — Taxes in Upper
Canada — Intemperance of Early Settlers — Public Morals —
General Brock — Canada and the United States in 1812 — The
York Militia — Defence of York — Population in 1812 — Queenston
Heights — Death of General Brock — Major-General Sheaffe —
Parliament of 1813 — American Attack on York — Occupation of
York by the American Army — Destruction of Public Buildings
— Sir Gordon Drummond — Foundation of the Common School
System — Stage between York and Kingston — -Erection of First
Methodist Church 29-41

CHAPTER HI.

Convention of Delegates to Consider the Affairs of the Province —
Government Favourites — Sir Peregrine Maitland — Enlargement
of St. James Church — Interior of St. James' — York in 1821 —
Presbyterian Meeting House— York General Hospital— Presenta-
tion of Colours to the York Militia — King Street and Simcoe
Street in 1821 — Sinking of Public Well— Public Whipping — Dr,
Strachan — Prices of Groceries, Dry Goods, etc., etc. — William
Lyon Mackenzie — Government Animosity— Population in 1824 —
Destruction of the Colonial Advocate Office — University Charter;
its Unfair Character — Robert Baldwin's Entrance into Public
Life — Sir John Colborne ; His First Parliament — Egerton Ryer-
son and the Christian Guardian — Foundation of Upper Canada
College 43-67

CHAPTER IV.

Political Excitement in York — Mackenzie's Articles in the Colonial
Advocate — First Expulsion from the House — The Division —
Petitioners at the Government House — Thp Governor's Reply —
Procession Through the Streets — Re-election of Mackenzie —
Presentation of Gold Medal — Great Procession to the House of
Assembly — Mr. McNabb's Resolution — Mackenzie again expelled
from the House — Re-elected — Disorderly Meeting in Front of
the Court House — Mackenzie's House and Printing Office

VII

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

guard by the citizens — Leaves for England — The Roman
Catholics and Mackenzie — Song Wishing him God Speed —
Mackenzie at Colonial Office — Expelled from the House for the
Third Time — Re-elected in December — Again Enters the House
— Excitement of the Members — Fears of a Disturbance 69-90

CHAPTER V.

Incorporation of Toronto — Etymology of Toronto — Humber Bay —
Landing Place of Indians and Traders — Signification of the
Name Toronto — Robert Gourlay's Prediction in 1818 — First
Election of City Aldermen and Common Councilmen — Part)'
' Contest — William Lyon Mackenzie Elected Mayor — Condition
of the City — City Finances — Value of Property — Loan from the
Farmers' Bank — Early Taxation — Public Dissatisfaction —
Stormy Meeting — Accident at the Meeting — Breaking Down
the Balcon}^ — The Cholera — Stocks for Punishment of Drunkards
and Vagrants — King Street in 1834 — Business Houses on King
Street in 1834 — The old Masonic Hall — First Theatre and its
Appliances 91-103

CHAPTER VL

Rumours of Approaching Insurrection — Misplaced Confidence of the
Lieutenant-Governor — General Feeling of Alarm — Mackenzie's
Manifesto of Independence — - Proposed Plan of Operations —
Treasonable Gatherings — Alteration of Date of Attack on
Toronto — Assembling of Rebels at Montgomery's Tavern — First
Prisoners — Escape — Volunteers for Defence of Toronto —
Lieutenant-Colonel Moodie's Attempt to Warn the Government
of their Danger — His Death at Montgomery's Tavern — Alarm
of the Officials in Toronto — A Flag of Truce Sent to the
Insurgents — Sir Allan McNab Arrives at Toronto with Rein-
forcements — Van Egmond Assumes Command of the Kebel
Forces — Sir A. McNab's Attack on the Rebel Forces — Flight of
Mackenzie and the Rebel Leaders — Intense Loyalty of the
People — Burning of Montgomery's Hotel — Description of the
Militia — Lieutenant-Governor's Proclamation — Reward for
Mackenzie's Apprehension — Treatment of Prisoners — Execution
of Lount and Matthews — The Feeling of the Imperial Govern-
ment Respecting the Prisoners ....105-123

CHAPTER VII.

Feeling of Discontent in the City — Appointment of Sir George
; Arthur — Transference of the Seat of • Government to Kingston —
Population in 1841 and 1845 — First Issue of the Globe — Fire of
1849 — Destruction of the Cathedral — The Cholera — Numerous
Deaths — Population in 1851 — Religious Persuasions — The Hon.
George Brown - Lawlessness and Vagrancy in the City — Poor
Attendance at the Public Schools — Professions followed in the
City in 1856-7 , 125-136

CHAPTER VIII.

Visit of H- R. H. the Prince of Wales to Toronto— His Reception-
Festivities during his Visit — Opening of Queen's Park — Opening

VIII

CONTENTS.

of Horticultural Gardens — Population in 1861 — Sanitary

condition of the City — Rumours of Intended Fenian Raid —

Volunteers Called Out — Queen's Own sent to the Niagara

Frontier — Military Movements — The Volunteers at Ridgeway

— Supplies sent to the J Volunteers — The Dead and Wounded

brought to the City — Return of the Volunteers — H. R. H.

Prince Arthur's Visit to Toronto — Inaugurating the Works on

the Toronto. Grey and Bruce Railway — Opening of the •

Narrow Guage Railways — The Hon. Adam Crooks — The I

Procession Riots.... 137-155 1

Topographical 157-161

J Climate 163-167 '

Sketches : j

St. James' Cathedral in 1840 i68-i6g j

Fish Market in 1830 169

Churches : 170-197

Alexander Street Baptist Church 172 j

Jarvis Street Baptist Church 172-174

Zion Congregational Church 174-176 '

Bond Street Baptist Church 176-177 ,

St. James' Cathedral..... 177-179 I

Church of the Holy Trinity (omitted among Churches) 384

The Church of St. George the Martyr 179

Methodist Churches 179-184

Metropolitan Methodist Church 184-187

Sherbourne Street Methodist Church 188

Elm Street Wesleyan Methodist Church.... 188-189

Presbyterian Churches 189-194

Old St. Andrew's 194-195

New St. Andrew's 195

Cooke's Church .' , 195-196

Roman Catholic 196-197

Unitarian 197

Religious and Charitable Institutions 198-199

Young Men's Christian Association 199-200

Girl's Home 200

Boy's Home 200-201

The Magdalen Asylum 201

Toronto General Hospital 201-202

Provincial Lunatic Asylum 202-203

The Press 204-205

The Globe 205-208

The Mail 208

Qhristian Gitardian 208

Educational Establishments , 209

The University Buildings 209-210

Knox College 210-214

Trinity College 214

Normal School Building 214-216

Loretto Convent 216

Bishop Strachan School 216

Upper Canada College 217-218

Public Schools 218-219

Private Schools 37^-377

Municipal 220-222

Fire Brigade ^ 222-223

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Police Force 223

Water Supply 223-224

Markets 224

Parks 225

Mayors of Toronto since its Incorporation 226

Population of Toronto from 1793 226

National Societies 227

St. George's 217

St. Andrew's 227-228

St. Patrick's Society 228

German Benevolent Society 228

Irish Protestant Benevolent Society 228-229

Sons of England 229

Jean Baptiste Society 229

Hibernian Society 229

Feiendly Societies 230

The Order of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons 230-332

Independent Order of Odd Fellows 232

South London Unity Improved Independent Order of Odd

Fellows 232

Ancient Order of Foresters 232

Knights of Pythias 232

Loyal Orange Association 232-233

Temperance Organizations 233-234

The Clubs 235

Toronto Lacrosse Club 235-236

Ontario Lacrosse Club 236

Aquatic Clubs. 237

Royal Canadian Yacht Club 237

Argonaut Rowing Club , 238

Toronto Rowing Club 238

Social and Political Clubs ; 238

Toronto Club , 238

The National Club 238

United Empire Club 238-239

Reform Association Rooms 239

Places of Amusement and Recreation 240

Mrs. Morrison's Opera House 240-241

Royal Opera House 231-242

Albert Hall 242

Shaftesbury Hall 242

Horticultural Gardens 242-243

College Avenue 243

The Island 243

Financial Institutions 244

The Toronto Bank * 244

Ontario Bank 244-245

Imperial Bank 245-246

The Federal Bank 246

Canadian Bank of Commerce 246

Dominion Bank 246

Quebec Bank 246-247

Bank of Montreal 247

Consolidated Bank of Canada 247

Insurance Companies " 248

British America Assurance Company 248-249

Western Insurance Company 249

CONTENTS.

The Queen City Fire Insurance Company 249

Confederation Life Insurance Company 250

Toronto Life and Tontine Company 250

Canada Permanent Loan and Savings Company 250-253

Hotels 254 i

The Queen's 254-255 I

The Rossin House 255-373-^ I

American Hotel 256-257 j

Walker House 257 j

Windsor Hotel 257-258 '

Shakespeare Hotel 258 |

St. James' Hotel 258 i

Johnston House 258 '

Principal Buildings 259-266 |

Trade and Commerce !

Toronto Brewing and Malting Company 267-269 I

Don Brewery — Thomas Davies & Bro 270 j

Messrs. Cosgrave & Sons • 270 j

Copland's Brewery 271 |

East End Brewery 271

Gooderham & Worts 271-273 !

Manufacturers |

J. & J. Taylor, Safe Manufacturers 273-275

Robert Hay & Co 275-276 |

Christie, Brown & Co -. 276-278 J

Lyman Bros. & Co 278-279 :

Booth & Sons 279

J. D. Nasmith 279-281

The Phoenix Coffee and Spice Mills 281-282

Don Paper Mills 282 :

George D. Morse & Co 283-284 ■

The Toronto Packing House 284-286 !

H. E. Clarke's Trunk Factory 286-287

Lamb's Blacking Factory 287

Todhunter, Black & Co 288-289 ;

Wilson's Brush Factory 289

Heintzman & Co., Piano Factory 290-291

Hastings & Peterkin, Planing Mill... 291

Taylor & Wilson, Cigar Factory 291-292 i

Copp, Clark & Co., Lithographers 292-293 |

Eichhorn & Carpenter, Cigars 293-294

Withrow & Hillock, Planing Mill ' 294

S. M. Peterkin, Wood Carver..... 294

Canada Stained Glass Works 295 \

Messrs. Whittier & Sons, Manufacturing Chemists 2()5-296

Messrs. Fox & Co., Planing Mill 296 ;

William Barchard's Packing Case Factoay 296-297 1

Messrs. Hunter, Rose & Co 297-298 I

Charles Boeckh's Brush Factory 298-299 '

Northrop & Lyman 2()9-3oo I

John Holmes, Shoe Factory 3*^^

H. Mc Adams & Co 300-301 :

E. S. Merrill & Co ^oi !

McColl, Stock & Anderson 3(">i-302 |

Milburn, Bentley, & Pearson 302-303 |

Mirror and Picture Frame Factory 3^4

Wilson's Vinegar Works 3^4

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Dixon's Carriage Factory , 305

"5. B. Sanderson, Shoe Factory 306

A. & W. Burns' Soda Water Works 306-307

Lugsdin & Barnett. 307

Charles Wilson, Soda Water 307-308

S. Trees & Co 308

Dixon, Smith & Co 308-309

Messrs. Rice Bros 309

George Constable 309-310

Wholesale Houses —

John Macdonald & Co 310-312

Samson, Kennedy & Gemmel 312-313

Dobbie & Carrie 314

J. Gillespie & Co 314-315

Hughes Bros , 315-316

Tackaberry, Joselin & Joselin 316-317

BrycQ, McMurrich & Co 317

Robert McPhail's 317

Galbraith, Christie & Co 318

Nelson & Sons 318-319

Phillips, Thorne & Co 319-320

Zimmerman, McNaught & Co 320-321

Thomas May & Co 321

Cramp, Torrances & Co 321

Brown's Carriage Warehouse 322-323

McNab & Marsh 323-324

Pearcy & Stewart 324

John Hallam 324-325

Thomson & Burns 325-326

Pacific Buildings and its occupants 326-327

M. & L. Samuel i 327

Ross & Allen ., 327-328

Pepler & Sheppard 328-329

John Rennie & Co 329

McGiverin, Kerrigan & Co 329

Steele Bros 329-330

Thomas Lailey & Co 330-331

J. L. Bronsdon & Co 331

Wholesale and Retail Stores :

' John Kay ^^^^-^^^

Messrs. Ridout & Co 332-333

Golden Lion 333-335

Mason, Risch & Newcombe 335-336

Page's Block 33^-339

Robinson & Co 339-340

James Stark 340

Stanton & Vicars 340-341

James H. Rogers 341-342

McCormack Bros 342

T. Webb 343

Kent Bros.... 343-344

Hart & Rawlinson 344

William Brown, Queen street •. 344

John T. Wilson, Queen street 344-345

George Coleman " 345

Peter McCulloch... 345

Alexander Hamilton 345

XII

CONTENTS.

Morrison's Dry Goods 346-347

John Riddell 347

W. H. Lake 347

Walker & Larmour's 348

J. M. Coombe 348

R. Moir, Staffordshire House 348

B. Chapman, Jewellery 349

Hugh Miller & Co., Druggists 349

James Foster & Sons 350

Charles A. Mitchell, Druggist 350

Crawford & Smith, Dry Goods 351

Thomas Crean, Tailor 351

Henry Graham, Carpets 351-352

Hunter & Co,, Photographers 352-353

R. Carswell 353

McLean Howard's Block 353~354

Montreal Tea Company , 354-355

McGee's Block 355-356

L & H. Cooper 356

Gordon's Carpet Warehouse ' 356

Thomas Griffith & Co 356-357

Mr. Howarth's Drug Store 357

Alexander's Jewellery Store 357

N. McEachren 357-358

G. B. Smith & Co 358

William Mara 358

Cheeseworth & Fraser 358-359

Thomas Claxton 359

China Hall 359-360

J. H. Samo 360

Norris & Soper 360-361

Shapter & Jeffrey 361

Messrs. A. & S. Nordheimer 361-362

Lumber Merchants:

Silliman's Lumber Yard 363

S. S. Mutton & Co 362-363

Collins Bros 363

Bryce Bros, & Co 363-364

Somers Atkinson 364

Donogh, McCool & Oliver 364-365

Bankers, Brokers, and Real Estate Agents :

R. H. Brett 365

W. B. Phipps 365-366

Private Bankers — Robert Beaty 366

Pearson Bros 366-367

Lake & Clarke 367

Scarth, Cochran & Co 367

Miscellaneous Business Houses :

W. H. Stone 368

Hutchinson & Burns 368-369

Jamieson & Carroll '. 369-370

Singer Sewing Machine Company 370

Burnett's Livery Stable 370

John Young, Undertaker 370-37^

The Star Life Assurance Company 371

The Restaurants of Toronto 371-372

J. L. Rawbone 372

XIII

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Union Block 374

The Post Office Book and News Depot 374

The Union Loan and Savings Company 374-375

Scarth, Cochran & Co 375

Private Schools:

Miss Dupont's 376-377

Private Residences :

S, Nordheimer, Esq 377-37^

H. S. Rowland, Esq 378

John Macdonald, Esq., M.P 378

John Hallam, Esq 378

George D. Morse, Esq 378-379

Oakham House, Mrs. John McGee 379

Miscellaneous:

A Pleasure Trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls 379-381

Steamer Southern Belle 381 382

The Toronto Necropolis 382

Crystal Palace 382-383

St. James' Cemetery 383

Royal Magnetical Observatory 383-384

INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.

NO. OF OPP.
PLATE. PAGE.

Toronto in 1834

View of King Street East, 1834 ,

Toronto Harbour, 1793 ,

Toronto Harbour, 1820 , ,

Toronto, 180^ :

First Settlers' School Houses from 1795 to 1805...

First Methodist Church, 1818

First Steamboat, 1818

Apparatus and Equipments of Public Schools as they were...

Fish Market, 1830

Volunteer Monument ,

Aborigines, 1795

St. James' Cathedral

Southern Belle

British America Assurance Company's Building

Canada Permanent Loan and Savings Company

J. Gillespie & Co

Graham & Co

Mrs. John McGee's Block

Osgoode Hall Library

Water Works )

Walker House j

Page's Block

University Buildings

Don Brewery

McColl, Stock & And
H. McAdams & Co...
E. S. Merrill & Co....
Bryce, McMurrich &

112

120

128

144

248

250

192

184

201

168

161

116

209

270

290

302

300

298

318

336

XIV

CONTENTS.

368

216

366

304

330

354

220

225

235

NO. OF OPP.
PLATE. PAGE.

James R. Silliman H 362

Tackaberry, Joselin & Joselin I 316

T. Webb J 378

Lake & Clark

Donogh, McCool & Oliver

I. & H. Cooper

Hart & Rawlinson

James Stark

George Constable

Crawford & Smith

Pearson Bros

Dixon's Carriage Works

Steele Bros

Queen's Hotel

Thomas Taylor & Bros., Paper Mills

Geo. D. Morse's Residence

H. vS. Howland's Residence

John Hallam's Residence

S. Nordheimer's Residence

John Macdonald's Residence

Knox College j

Canada Life Buildings ^

Hughes Bros |

Rossin House (see page 373) [

Phillips, Thorne & Co .f 26 240

John Rennie & Co |

Pacific Buildings J

S. M. Peterkin \

Howard's Block j

W. Davies & Co., Pork Packers \-2y 262

McNab & Marsh |

Ontario Bank j

Thomas Griffith & Co ^

Toronto Brewing and Malting Company { 28 266

Federal Bank ["

Pearcy & Stewart J

J. Gillespie & Co '\

Canada Permanent Loan and Savings Company |

J. &J. Taylor ^29 26S

Royal Canadian Bank |

Imperial Bank J

City Hall ^

Ridout, Aikenhead & Crombie j

Queen's Hotel [-30 272

Albert Hall |

Hunter, Rose & Co j

Pepler & Sheppard...

Glover Harrison

American Hotel [-31 276

Mason, Risch & Newcombe

St. Lawrence Hall

Burnett's Livery Stable "|

John Holmes : |

City Armory |-32 278

Windsor House j

Stovel & Armstrong j

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

NO. OF OPP.
PLATE. PAGE.

282

Cramp, Torrances & Co ...^

Union Block |

G. D. Morse & Co f^^

Samson, Kennedy & Gemmel J

Western Assurance Co ^

Taylor & Wilson j

Fox & Co I „

Crane & Baird 289

J. H. Rogers |

Walker & Sons. ' j

Dobbie & Carrie ^

U. E. Club I

Copland's Brewery.. [-35 292

Thomas May & Co |

J. L. Bronsdon & Co j

Bank of Toronto

Globe Office I

Thomas Davies & Bros'. Brewery [ ,

Robert McPhail "

Thomas Lailey .' j

Lyman Bros. & Co., J

Johnston l4ouse

Cosgrave's Brewery |

Heintzman & Co [^-37 310

John Macdonald & Co |

Wm. Gordon j

John D. Nasmith ^

Grand Opera House |

Withrow & Hillock 1

Thomson & Burns \'^^

McGiverin, Kerrigan & Co j

Galbraith, Christie & Co j

Copp, Clark & Co ^

Hunter'& Co |

Hastings & Peterkin [-39 327

Bank of Montreal |

John Riddell J

Christie, Brown & Co

Booth & Sons [

Nelson & Sons ['4° 375.

British x\merica Assurance Building J

John Kay "1

John Hallam |

Robert Hay & Co 341

George Coleman |

Robert Hay & Co J

Scott & Walmsley ^

National Club |

H. E. Clarke & Co [-42 345

Norris & Soper j

John Young J

Gooderham & Worts S

S. S. Mutton & Co ^

ColHns Bros f43 34«

St. James' Hotel J

XVI

HISTORICAL.

nigTOF^IC/I. I^EVIEW Of TOI^ONTO.

CHAPTER I.

Rise and Growth of Towns and Cities — Toronto One Hundred Years Ago —
Governor Simcoe — The Frst Parliament of Upper Canada — Selection
of the Site for the New Capital of Upoer Canada — Governor Simcoe's
Removal to York — Building of the Town Roads — Appearance of York
♦n 1794-95 — President Russell- -First Newspaper in York — Governor
Hunter — First Market — Erection of St. James' Church — Dr. O.
Stewart— York m 1806— The First Mail.

HE most striking effect of the rapid increase of popula-
tion in Canada is the rise and growth of cities and
towns. At the head of a lake, or where a stream
empties into one of those inland seas and forms a natural har-
bour ; or upon the bank of a navigable river, which flows through
a fertile country, a pioneer of the forest, or an adventurous
speculator sets himself down, and says, " here shall be a city.'"
If his judgment be good, and the country around his imaginary
Thebes or Athens be inviting, the waves of population which
perpetually flow westward, stop for a time at his "location " and
actually verify his dream. This is literally the history of the
foundation of such cities as Toronto, Hamilton, and London. To
conve^^ an idea of the wealth that is created by population being
thus suddenly centralized in a com.parative wilderness, we have
but to name the fact that in this very city of Toronto, within the
memory of men now living, numerous instances are recorded of
property, now worth thousands, even hundreds of thousands of
dollars, being bought for a cow, or a horse, or a small quantity
of goods out of a shop, or a few weelvs' or months' labor of a
mechanic. These things form the topics of fireside history in
all large towns and cities in Canada. The poor man, the newly
arrived emigrant, refer to them as foimdations for hopes in the

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

future. The rich man regards them as subjects for congratula-
tion. The speculator and the man of enterprise learns from them
how and where to found a town, and to make a bold push for
fortune. What visitor from the Old World, walking through the
streets of Toronto to-day, could imagine that less than one hun-
dred years ago it was an Indian village, whose warriors speared
the salt water salmon in her harbour, or chased the deer through
the dense woods ? Where the homes of her merchants and arti-
zans now stand, the noble elk roamed through forests undisturbed
by the sound of the woodman's axe, and swam waters w^here
paddle and screw, barque and schooner, now plough their busy
way ? Where the hum and noise of the foundry or mill are now
heard, myriads of wild pigeons from the south annually invaded
the woods and bore down the branches by their weight, while
flocks of gorgeously -clad turkeys, and plump-breasted quails,
stalked through the wild pathways of the forest, now turned into
busy streets, or gardens filled with choice specimens of native
and foreign floral beauty ? Who would not conceive it to be a
fairy tale, when told that where, less than ninety years ago, the
beaver gambolled in solitary streams, never visited by white men,
and where fever and ague reigned supreme, has arisen one of the
healthiest and handsomest cities on the American Continent,
with a population of over 70,000 souls ? Yet this is precisely the
history of the Queen City of the W^est.

In 1791 the Province of Quebec (as the whole of Canada was
then named) was divided into Upper and Lower Canada. John
Graves Simcoe was appointed the first Lieutenant-Governor of
Upper Canada. Sailing from London, England, on the 1st of
May, 1792, he arrived at Newark (now Niagara) on the 80^ of
July, with a staff of officials to administer the affairs of the new
Province. Here, in September, he summoned the first Parlia-
ment of Upper Canada, consisting of a Lower House of sixteen
members, elected by the people, (these were plain farmers and
merchants), and an Upper House of eight persons, appointed by
the Crown for life. The Acts of the first session of the first Pro-
vincial Parliament displayed an intimate acquaintance with the

HISTORICAL.

requirements of the coantry, and great common sense. Among
the most important Acts passed was one which introduced the
English Civil Law, another established trial by jury, and a third
provided for the erection of jails, court-houses, and such other
public buldings as were considered requisite in the districts into
which the Province was then divided. At this time the entire
revenue of the Province amounted to $3,600, and the only tax
imposed was four pence par gallon on wine. When Governor
Simcoe first came to Canada he supposed that the Home Govern-
ment would retain possession of the fort on the American side of
the Niagara Eiver, and which was still strongly garrisoned by
British troops. When he found it was to be surrendered he
abandoned the design of making Newark his capital, as it would
be too near the frontier. " The chief town of a province must
not be placed under the guns of an enemy's fort," said the Gov-
ernor, and he accordingly turned his attention to procuring a
more suitable site for the metropolis of Upper Canada. In the
summer he coasted along the upper shore of Lake Ontario ; took
a look into Welland Eiver and Twenty Mile Creek ; surveyed
Burlington Bay, and finally halted near the ruins of the old
French Fort, Toronto, where the inmates of a single wigwam
represented the Huron nation, on this, their ancient hunting
ground. Here a neck of land stretching boldly out into the lake
formed a secure harbour for shipping. Lake Ontario rolled
thirty-six miles of its waters between it and the ximerican shore,
thus lessening the dangers of invasion ; and the vast forests of
beech and maple, and other hard woods of Canada, that stretched
away aiang the old French track towards Lake Simcoe, showed
the land to be fertile. The geographical situation of Toronto^
was excellent. To the east, and south, and west, the broad Lake
gives easy access. To the north, thirty miles gained the Holland
Eiver, then navigable for its short intervening distance to the
beautiful lake into which it falls. From Lake Simcoe it was
easy to penetrat-) to Lake Huron, on the one hand, and to the
chain of .small lakes lying towards the Upper Ottawa, on the
other. All these circumstances, no doubt, presented themselves

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

to the mind of Governor Simcoe, whose industry had already
made him acquainted with the resources of the country, and he
determined that Toronto should be his capital city. The result
has amply justified his choice.

In the spring of 1794, Governor Simcoe, attended by the Regi-
ment of Queen's Rangers, took up his residence at Toronto, or
York, as he named it, and at once set about the erection of his
new capital. S^^lecting for his residence a lot on the high ground
north of the old Don and Danforth Road, then decidedly the most
picturesque spot in the vicinity, he, for the first summer and
winter, resided in a canvas tent, while barracks for the troops,
and houses for himself and staff were being erected. He also
began the erection of Parliament buildings upon the site now
^occupied by the old jail, near the corner of Berkeley and Front
streets. These were unassuming but commodious wooden struc-
tures, consisting of two large halls, with convenient offices, for
the accommodation of the Legislature and the Courts of Justice.
Around the Parliament buildings Government officials, traders,
and others began to take up lots, erect dwellings and stores, and
form the nucleus of the new capital of Upper Canada. With the
aid of the regiment he built Yonge street, extending from Toronto
harbour to Lake Simcoe, a distance of thirty-three miles. The
opening of this route at once brought a considerable trade to the
infant capital, for the North-West Fur Company, established in
Montreal in 1782, and which in 1793 employed over one thous-
and seven hundred men, instead of sending their supplies up the
Ottawa by canoes, sent hatteaux up the St. Lawrence, (which
were carted across the portages at the carrying place and Yonge
street), and delivered their cargoes in Mackinaw, then the great
centre of the fur trade, at a saving of from forty to sixty dollars
per ton. Even the Spanish settlements down the Mississippi
were supplied by British goods thus taken to the great peltry fair
at Mackinaw. Dundas street, as the main post-road traversing
the Province was called, was also established by Governor Sim-
coe, lots being granted along it on condition of building and
improving in one year, and so provision was made for a conti-

HISTORICAL.

nuous land communication throughout the Province. On the 27th
of August the first royal salute was fired by the garrison of the
new capital, and responded to by the shipping in the harbour, on
the name of York being officially given to the new town. It was
not, however, until 1794 that the building of the Town of York
may be said to have actually commenced, but in this year con-
siderable activity was displayed in the erection of both public
and private buildings, and that, too, under all the disadvantages
which an unhealthy locality, described as better fitted " for a frog
pond or beaver meadow than for the residence of human beings,"
would present. Colonel Bouchette, Surveyor-General of Lower
Canada, and then engaged in the Naval Service of the lakes, thus
describes the appearance of the site of the new town : —

I still distinctly recollect the untamed aspect which the country
exhibited when first I entered the beautiful basin which then
became the scene of my early hydrographical operations. Dense
and trackless forests lined the margin of the Lake, and reflected
their inverted images in its glassy surface. The wandering
savage had constructed his ephemeral habitation beneath their
luxuriant foliage — the group then consisting of two families of
Mississaquas ; and the Bay and neighboring marshes were the
hitherto uninvaded haunts of immense coveys of wild fowl." In
1795 the infant city was described by the French traveller,
Eochefoucault, as containing twelve houses besides the barracks
in which the regiment was quartered. The inhabitants he stig-
matized as not possessing the fairest character. While the
public buildings were progressing Parliament continued to meet
at Newark until 1796, when Governor Simcoe, who does not
appear to have been subservient enough, was recalled.

Mr. Peter Eussell, the senior member of the Executive Council,
a gentleman who had come out with Governor Simcoe, and who,
to his other duties, added those of Inspector General, assumed the
direction of public affairs during the interregnum. He convened
the Parliament at York on the 6th of June, 1797, the building
for their reception having been completed during Governor Sim-
coe's administration, although, from the repi^esentations of inter-

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

ested parties, lie was recalled ere he had enjoyed the pleasure of
meeting his Parliament in their new Chambers, erected on the
spot he had so judiciously selected as the capital of Upper
Canada. This, the first Parliament meeting at York, w^as pro-
rogued on the 30th of July. President Eussell continued to preside
over the administration of affairs until 1799, assembling the Legis-
lature at York on the 5th June, 1798, and on the 12th of June,
1799. And here also, for more than twenty-five years, did Gov-
ernor Hunter, Governor Gore, the gallant General Brock, General
Sheaffe, Sir Gordon Drummond, and Sir Perigrine Maitland,
open and close the Annual Parliamentary sessions, with, such
state display as the circumstances of the times and place allowed.
It became necessary that the state openings and closings of the
Legislative Chambers should have due legal, and official notice,
so a Queen's Printer was appointed at Newark, in 1795. The
Upper Canada Gazette and American Oracle was established, and
thus the first Upper Canadian newspaper was started as a
semi-Government sheet. In 1800 the printing of the Gazette was
removed to York. It has been said that at the present day every
little town or village thtit can boast of a church and tavern must
have its newspaper, in which to expatiate on the superiority and
salubrity of its respective locality ; but the founders of the early
capital had their newspaper before any church was built, but
we fear not before the erection of any tavern. This sheet did
little to make known the advantages or beauties of the new town.
Local items Avere not deemed worthy of much notice. Extracts
from the New York and Albany papers, as well as from the
Quebec Gazette, of news from six to ten weeks old, with the Gov-
ernor's Proclamations, formed the main portion of its contents.
It was a small sheet, about fifteen by nine inches, having a total
circulation of about one hundred and fifty copies, printed on a
very coarse brownish-white paper, and occasionally, when the
ordinary supply ran out, it was issued on a coarse blue paper,
similar in color to that now used on the backs of Government
Blue Books, and of a quality about equal to the common wrapping
paper now used by grocers and others.

HISTORICAL.

In 1803 Governor Hunter, by the following Proclamation in
the Gazette, of November 3rd, appointed a weekly market for the
Town of York, ani also a place for the market to be held : —
" Peter Hunter, Esquire, Lieutenant-Governor, &c. : Whereas,
great prejudice hath arisen to the inhabitants of the Town and
Township of York, and of other adjoining townships, from no
place or day having been set apart or appointed for exposing
publicly for sale, cattle, sheep, poultry, or other provisions, goods,
merchandise, brought by merchants, farmers, and others, for the
necessary supply for the said Town of York ; and, whereas, great
benefit and advantage might be derived to the said, inhabitants
and others by establishing a weekly market within that town at a
place and on a certain day for the purpose aforesaid : Know all
men, that I, Peter Hunter, Esquire, Lieutenant-Governor of the
said Province, taking the premises into consideration, and willing
to promote the interest and advantage and accommodation of
the inhabitants of the town and township aforesaid, and of
others. His Majesty's subjects within the said Province, by and
with the advice of the Executive Council thereof, have ordained,
erected, established and appointed a public open market, to be
held on Saturday in each and every week during the year, within
the said Town of York, (the first market to be held therein on
Saturday, the 5th day of November, next after the date of these
X)resents), on a certain piece or plot of land within that town,
consisting of five acres and a half, commencing at the south-
east angle of the said plot, at the corner of Market street and
New street, then north sixteen degrees, west five chains seventeen
links, more or less, to King street ; then along King street south
sevpnty-four degrees, west nine chains fiffcy-one links, more or
less to Church street ; then south sixteen degrees, east six
chains thirty-four links, more or less, to Market street ;
then along Market street, north seventy-four degrees, east
two chains ; then north sixty-four degrees, east along
Market street seven chains sixty links, more or less, to the
place of beginning ; for the purpose of exposing for sale, cattle,
sheep, poultry and other provisions, goods, and merchandise, aa

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

aforesaid. Given under my hand and seal at arms, at York, this
twenty- sixth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thou-
sand eight hundred and three, and in the forty-fourth year of
his Majesty's reign. — Peter Hunter, Esquire, Lieutenant-Gover-
nor. By His Excellency's command, William Jarvis, Secretary."
The establishment of this weekly market was another step
towards the permanent building up of the town. Farmers came
here with their grain and other produce, which they bartered
with the storekeepers for groceries, dry goods, and other neces-
saries.

The town continued to expand north and westward, much more
rapidly than the first settlers anticipated, in spite of the diffi-
culties which they experienced with regard to roads from the
marshy nature of the soil around what was then the principal
portion of the town. Farmers entering the town from Yonge
Street (which then only came south as far as Queen street) had
the utmost difficulty in threading their way through the stumps,
mud, and pitfalls, which on every side beset them from this
great thoroughfare to the market place.

In this year (1803) also, a movement was originated for the
erection of a church for the Episcopalians, who had been for
about seven years holding services in the Parliament build-
ings. Up to this time York could not boast of a single church or
school house.

The Oracle and Gazette of January 22, 1803, contains the follow-
ing report of a meeting of subscribers for erecting a Church in the
Town of York, "held at the Government Buildings on Saturday
the 8th day of January instant — the Hon. Chief Justice (Elms-
ley) in the chair. Ee solved unanimously : That each subscriber
shall pay the amount of his subscription by three instalments;
the first being one moiety in one month from this day ; and the
second being a moiety of the residue in two months; and the re-
mainder in three months ; that Mr. William Allan and Mr. Dun-
can Cameron, shall be Treasurers, and shall receive the amount
of the said subscriptions, and that they be jointly and severally
answerable for all monies paid into their hands upon the receipt

HISTORICAL.

of sitbsr of tliem ; that His Honour the Chief Justice, the Honour-
able P. Enssell, the Honourable Captain McGill, the Eev. Mr.
Stuart, Dr. Macaulay, Mr. Chewitt, and the two Treasurers be a
Committee of the subscribers, with full power and authority to
apply the monies arising from subscriptions to the j)urposes con-
tiemplaied ; provided, nevertheless, that if any material difference
of opinion should arise among them, resort shall be had to a meet-
ing of the subscribers to decide. That the Church shall be built
of stone, brick, or framed timber, as the Committee may judge
most expedient, due regard being had to the superior advantages
of a stone or brick building, if not counterbalanced by the addi-
tional expense. That eight hundred pounds of ^awful money be the
extent upon which the Committee shall calculate their plan : but
in the first instance they shall not expend beyond the sum of six
hundred pounds (if the amount of the sums subscribed and paid
into the hands of the Treasurers, together with, the monies wdiicli
may be allowed by the British Government, amount to so much)
leaving so much of the work as can most conveniently be dispensed
wdth, to be completed by the remaining two hundred pounds ;
provided, however, that the six hundred pounds be laid out in
such manner that Divine Worship can be performed with decency
in the Church. That the Committee do request the opinion of Mr.
Berczy, respecting the probable expenses which will attend the
undertaking, and respecting the materials to be preferred ; due
regard being had to the amount of the fund, as aforesaid ; and that
after obtaining his opinion they do advertise their readiness to
receive proposals conformable thereto.

N.B. — The propriety of receiving contributions in labour or
materials is suggested to the Committee. — A. MacDonell, Secre-
tary to the meeting."

In the same Journal imder date of June 4th 1803 the following
advertisement in roferance to the new Church appeared : — "Ad-
vertisement. Wanted. A quantity of Pine Boards and Scantling,
Stones and Lime, for building a Church in this Town. Any person
inclined to furnish any of these articles will please to give in their
proposals, at the lowest prices, to the subscribers to be laid be-

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

fore the Committee. — D. Cameron, W. Allan. York, June 1st
1803."

It appears from the foregoing advertisement that the Com-
mittee contemplated building the Church in stone, but this idea
was subsequently abandoned, and a frame building was decided
upon ; and Colonel Sheaffe, then commandant of York Garrison,
ordered his men to assist in raising the frame. The Church was
erected on the site now occupied by the present Cathedral, and
stood in the midst of a fine grove of primitive forest trees. The
edifice was fifty feet by forty, standing about twelve or fifteen
yards back from the front of the , road. Its gables faced East and
West. The entrance was by one small door at the Western end,
which was approached from Church Street. The sides contained
two rows of windows ; four at the top, and four at the bottom.
It was a plain barn-like looking structure, as primitive in it« in-
ternal fittings as in its external appearance ; but it was looked
upon with pride and gratification by the subscribers and residents
of the little town. Dr. 0. Stewart was the first incumbent of the
new Church, which office he retained until 1813, when he was
succeeded by Dr. Strachan, who afterwards became first Bishop
of Toronto.

Dr. Scadding in his valuable and scholarly work, ''Toronto of
Old," thus describes the first Episcopal Clergyman of York :

" Dr. Okill Stewart, formerly rector of this Church, i.e. (York,)
but subsequently of Kingston, used occasionally, when visiting
York, to officiate — a very tall, benevolent, and fine-featured eccle-
siastic, with a curious delivery, characterized by unexpected
elevations and depressions of the voice, irrespective of the matter,
accompanied by long closings of the eyes, and then a sudden re-
opening of the same. Whenever this preacher ascended the
pulpit, one member of the congregation, Mr. George Duggan, who
had had, it was understood, some trivial disagreement With the
Doctor, during his incumbency in former years, was always
expected by onlookers to rise and walk out, and this he accord-
ingly always did. The movement seemed a regular part of the
programme of the day, and never occasioned any sensation,"

HISTORICAL.

The building of the church appeared to add considerable stimu-
lus to the erection of dwellings and stores, for during the years
1804 and 1805 it appears to have doubled its former size and
population.

In 1806 York was thus described by Mr. George Heriot, Deputy
Postmaster-General of British North America : — " The Town of
York, according to the plan, is i^rojected to extend a mile and a /
half, from the bottom of the harbour along its banks. Many
houses are already completed, some of which display a consider-
able degree of taste. The advancement of the place to its -pre- \
sent condition has been effected within the lapse of six or seven
years, and persons who have formerly travelled in this part of the
country are impressed with sentiments of wonder on beholding a
town w^hich may be termed handsome, reared af^if by enchant-
ment in the midst of a wilderness. Tw^o buildings of brick at the
eastern extremity of the tow^n, which were designed as wings to a
centre, are occupied as Chambers to the Upper and Lower Houses
of Assembly."

In the month of January, 1808, the first mail from Lower
Canada arrived at York. In the Gazette of January 13th, the /
following notice appeared ; — " For the information of the public. ;
— York, 12th January, 1808. — The first mail from Lower Canada '
is arrived, and letters are ready to be delivered by W. Allan, act-
ing Deputy Postmaster."

The mail between Montreal and Y^ork was so light as to be
carried by pedestrian white men between these two places, and
by an Indian between Y^ork and Niagara, all of whom carried axes
to enable them to cross streams. The number of Post Offices in /
Upper and Lower Canada at this date numbered about seventeen, i
and only about eight hundred miles of post road was open, of
wdiich not more than one hundred and fifty miles w^as in Upper
Canada.

HISTOKICAL.

CHAPTEE 11.

Governor Gore— Difiiculties of Early Settlers— Taxes in Upper Canada-
Intemperance of Early Settlers— Public Morals— General Brock-
Canada and the United States in 1812— The York Militia— Defence
of York— Population in 1812— Queenston Heights— Death of General
Brock— Major-General Sheaffe— Parliament of 1813— American
Attack on York — Occupation of York by the American Army — Des-
truction of Public Buildings — Sir Gordon Drummond — Foundation
of the Common School vSystem — Stage Between York and Kingston
—Population in 1817— Erection of First Methodist Church.

OVEENOE GOEE, who succeeded Governor Hunter,
appears to have desired to carry out the designs of
Governor Simcoe with reference to the town of York,
and to have aided its development by every means. in his power.
Thus fostered the town continued to grow with a steady pros-
perity; every succeeding year encroaching still farther on the
dense wilderness, and witnessing new homes, and new clearances \f
made in the adjoining forests. The backwoodsman, whose for-
tunes are cast in the remote inland settlements of the present
day, far remote from churches, destitute of the ministers of the
gospel, and medical men; without schools or roads, or the many
conveniences that make life desirable, can alone appreciate, or
even understand, the numerous difficulties and hardships that
beset the first settlers among the marshy and ague swamps of
York. The clothes on his back, wdth a rifle or old musket, and
a well-tempered axe, were, not unfrequently, the full extent of
his worldly possessions. Thus lightly equipped he took posses-
sion of his two hundred acres of closely-timbered forest land and
commenced operations. The forest rings with his vigorous
strokes as huge tree after tree tumbles to the earth ; and thus
admits the bright rays of the sim upon his little clearing. The
best logs are squared and serve to build his shanty, and the rest
are given to the flames. Now, the rich mould, the accumulation
of centuries of decayed vegetation, is gathered together into little

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

hillocks, into which potatoes are dibbled. Indian corn is planted
in another direction, and perhaps a little wheat. If married the
lonely couple straggle on in their forest oasis, like the solitary
traveller over the sands of Sahara, or a boat adrift in the Atlantic.
Their nearest neighbour lives miles off, and when sickness comes
they hav-e to travel far through the forest to claim human sym-
pathy. But fortunately our nature, with elastic temperament,
adapts itself to circumstances. By and by the potatoes peep up,
and the corn blades modestly show themselves around the chajT-
red maple stumps and girdled pines, and the prospect of a suffi-
ciency of food gives consolation. As winter approaches, a. deer
now and then adds to the comforts of the solitary people. Such
were the mass of the first settlers of York, and Western Canada.

No country in the world was less burdened with taxes than
Upper Canada at this period. A small direct tax on property,
levied by the District Courts of Session, and not amounting to
sixteen thousand dollars for the whole country, sufficed for all
local expenses. There was no poor-rate, no capitation tax, no
tithes or ecclesiastical rates of any kind. The chief check to the
great prosperity of the country at this period was the want of a
paper currency, there being no bank in Canada. Gold and silver
were the only circulating mediums, and as the exports did not
balance the imports, the little money brought into the colony by
settlers, or paid out by Government, was insufficient to meet the
increasing wants of the community. A system of barter was thus
originated between merchant and farmer, highly prejudicial to
the latter, and which frequently led him into debt.

Nor were the public morals as much calculated to advance the
welfare of the country as could be desired. Intemperance was a
prevalent vice. The rough backwoodsmen, too, were often quarrel-
some in their cups, and pugilistic encounters very frequently
took place. The mass of the people may be described as a rough,
home-spun generation, with little religion, still less education;
but honest in their general demeanor, sturdy yet simple in their
manners, and exceedingly hospitable in their homes. In the
early days of York, the vice of intemperance was i)unished in a

HISTORIC IL.

Eome-^-bat summary though certainly utilitarian way : all persons
guilty of drunkeness were made to give a certain amount of labor
in pulling out tree stumps in the j)ublic streets.

In 1811 Governor Gore left York for a temporary visit to Eng-
land, leaving the gallant Major-General Brock in charge of tho
administration, during his absence. General Brock, soon after
taking charge of the administration, clearly saw that serious
troubles would arise between the United States and the Canadas,
and he set about making preparations to meet them. On the 3rd
of February, 1812, he convened the Legislature, and requested
them to pass two measures, in view of future hostilities, these
were the suspension of Habeas Corjnis, and a Militia Supplemen-
tary Act. At first the House positively refused to pass these
measures, as they did not think war would take place. No
sooner, however, did they perceive their error, than a very effec-
tive militia bill was passed, and twenty thousand dollars granted
to defray training expenses. On the 19th of June, 1812, the
United States Congress passed an act declaring war against
Great Britain, and directing that hostilities be immediately com-
menced by an invasion of Canada. It is no jmrt of our duty to
enter into the causes or excuses for this war, as having little
direct connexion with the Town of York ; but perhaps it may not
be deemed too great a digression to briefly review the condition
and resources of Canada and the United States at this juncture.

Wide as was their geographical limits^ the Democracy of
America desired additional territory, and would fain have grati-
fied their hatred of Great Britain by driving her from the valley
of the St. Lawrence, and thus depriving her of the source
whence she now derives her chief supply of timber, as well as a
most important addition to her bread-stuffs. In rushing into
the war the Democracy of the United States calculated upon an
easy conquest of Canada. Great Britain had been taking a most
active part in the Europ3an Wars ; her resources, it was thought,
could not afford help to her distant colony. The regular troops,
in both Upper and Lower Canada, amounted to less than five
thousand men, to which, if we add one thousand three hundred

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT,

fonciblcs and five hundred artillery, the entire force for the pro-
tection of a vast frontier of some thousands of miles in extent,
was only five thousand eight hundred men. The population of
Upper Canada was less than eighty thousand souls ; while that
of Lower Canada did not exceed two hundred and twenty thou-
sand. On the other hand, the population of the United States
had prodigiously increased since the Kevolution, and was now
eight millions ; while their resources were enormous, and gave
them immense advantages in carrying on a war against a com-
paratively poor and sparsely populated country like Canada. In
point of numbers the odds were twenty-seven to one against the
latter — an enormous disproportion. The United States had also
the advantage in the commencement of the war, in being the
assailing party ; and could thus penetrate at leisure any part of
our long frontier they pleased, while we had to protect the whole.
But, aside from all these favorable circumstances, the American
Democratic party relied upon the people of Canada themselves
to aid in wresting the country from Great Britain. The trifling
political troubles in Upper, as also in Lower Canada, led them to
suppose that the inhabitants were weary of British rule, and
would readily ally themselves on the first opportunity to the
United States, But they were fully as much mistaken on this
point as they were in supposing that they could conquer these
provinces by force of arms. If the Canadians were dissatisfied
with the too great power of the executive, a system of favouritism,
and the arbitrary conduct of judges and other officials, they
were in no disposition to cure ills of the kind by a recourse to
the greater one of unbridled republicanism. The bulk of the
people remained sincerely attached to constitutional monarchy,
and a very general feeling of loyalty pervaded both Provinces.
This feeling was decidedly the rule ; a desire for an alliance with
the United States was the exception. But comparatively few
Canadians joined the American standard during the war, and
throughout which none were more gallant in rolling back the
tide of unprincipled invasion than the emigrants from New Eng-
land and New York, who, aside from the United Empire Lo^^al-

HISTORICAL.

isto, lial sotulod in the country. Apart from the monarchical
predilections of its inhabitants themselves, Canada at this period
possessed another element of strength in the North-western
Indian tribes, who had transferred, at length, the feeling of
regard they once entertianed for the French to the British, and
cordially disliked the Americans, whom they termed " Long
Knives." To the important aid these tribes rendered in the out-
set of the contest, before the militia were properly organized or
reinforcements had arrived from England, may, in a great
measm-e, be attributed the preservation of Western Canada.
The famous confederacy of the Iroquois had been broken up after
the revolutionary war, the Mohawks and part of the Onondagas
and Tuscaroras attaching themselves to the fortunes of. the
British, while the rest of the confederates clung to their ancient
hunting grouncls, although closely hemmed in by the advancing
tide of civilization. Under their famous chief. Pied Jacket, the
latter gave most important aid to the Americans during the war,
in which the Senecas engaged in the fall of 1813, after having
issued a formal declaration of hostilities against Upper and Lower
Canada. Thus we see that the United States had as little com-
punction in availing themselves of Indian aid as Canada ; but it
must be remembered that the latter used it only in self-defence,
while the former employed it in a war of conquest and aggression.
The hostile feeling against the Americans so sedulously fostered
by the Shawnee chief, Tecumseh, and his brother, Elskwatawa,
or the Prophet, prevented any part of the North-west Indians
from joining their standard, and the Iroquois of New York State
were, therefore, their only important allies.

The only incidents in connexion with the invasion of Canada
by the American troops in 1812, in which we are interested, were
the preparations made for the defence of the town and the death (
of the acting Governor, General Brock. On the declaration of I
war becoming known the bridges at the east end of the town,
crossing the Don Iliver, and giving access to the peninsula which
formed the harbour, were destroyed ; an eartlnvork was also
thrown up on the narrow ridge which at that time divi(K tl t'.iu Don

TORONTO : PAST AND Pr.ESENT.

from the Bay. Tliongb the population at this time was only
nine lumclred, it is said that over two Imndred and fifty entered
the ranks, or expressed a desire to enter the ranks of the militia.
At the time of the invasion the 3rd Eegiment of York militia
formed the garrison. That the citizen soldiers in these early and
troublesome times were loyal and patriotic is manifest by their
conduct during the war, being ever anxious to be foremost in the
fray; that they were well drilled is evident from General Brock's
comments. In July, 1812, General Brock inspected the militia
of York, and sent his official report of the inspection to Captain
Howard, who made the following entry in the Eegimental Book : —
" Major-General Brock has desired me to acquaint the detach-
ment under my command of his high approbation of their orderly
conduct and good discipline while under arms; that their exer-
cise and marching far exceeded any he had seen in the province.
And, in particular, he directed me to acquaint the oliicers how j
much he is pleased with their appearance in uniform, and their
perfect knowledge of their duty."

In August General Brock was on the frontier with seven hun-
dred troops, including the volunteers from York, and shortly
afterwards occurred that lamentable event which deprived the
province of an able, just, and loved governor, and the nation of a
brilliant and humane soldier. This melancholy event occurred
on the 13th of October, 1812, at the battle of Queenston Heights.
During the 12th Van Piansallaer, the American General, com-
pleted his preparations for attacking Queenston. The following
morning was cold and stormy, but, nevertheless, his troops em-
barked in boats at an early hour, and everything made ready to
push across the river with the first blush of dawn. These move-
ments were soon discovered by the British sentries, who gave the
alarm. Captain Dennis, of the 49th, who commanded at Queens-
ton, immediately collected two companies of his regiment, and
about one hundred of the militia, at the landing place, to oppose
the enemy, whom he held in check for a considerable time, aided
by the fire of an eighteen pounder in position on the heights
above, and a masked gun about a mile lower down. A portion

HISTORICAL.

of the Americans, however landed higher up, and ascending, by
an unguarded path turned the British flank, captured the eighteen
pounder, and speedily compelled Dennis to retreat, after having
sustained considerable loss, to the north end of the village. Here
he was met by General Brock, who had heard the cannonade
at Niagara, and pushed forward in company with his Aides-de-
camp, Major Glegg and Colonel McDonnell, to ascertain its
cause. Having learned how matters stood, he dismounted from
his horse, and resolving to carry the Heights, now fully in pos-
session of the Americans, placed himself at the head of a com-
pany of the 49th, and, waving his sword, led them to the charge
in double quick time, under a heavy fire from the enemy's rifle-
men. Ere long one of these singled out the general, took delibe-
rate aim, fired, and the gallant Brock, without a word, sank down
to rise no more. The 49th now raised a shout to revenge the
general," when regulars and militia madly rushed forward and
drove the enemy, despite their superior numbers, from the sum-
mit of the hill. Brock made the attack on the American position
with a fore 3 of about three hundred men, and when the Americans
surrendered to Sheafi"e, who assumed the command after General
Brock's doi',th, they numbered nine hundred and fifty, regulars
and militia. The death of General Brock dimmed the lustre of
victory, and cast a gloom not only over the infant capital, but
through o\it the entire country. Descending from a Guernsey
family he hal embraced the profession of arms at an early age,
and served TNith distinction in some of the principal campaigns
in Europe. As a soldier, he was brave, skilful, and humane,
and the idol of his troops. As a Civil Governor, he was firm,
prudent, and just, and had in the short period in which he had
administered the affairs of the Province won the warmest admi-
ration and love of the residents of York. He fell at the age of
forty-two, respected by all classes, friend and foe alike, and
minute guns from the Americans as well as from the British
batteries bore honorable testimony to his great personal worth,
as he was buried at Fort George, on the IGth of October, in a
grave, watered with the tears of brave soldiers and sorrowing

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

citizens. Brock's name has not been forgotten. The people of
Ontario still cherish his memory ; and when monuments and
streets dedicated to the memory of his brave deeds shall have
passed away, his name will still occupy an honourable place in
the pages of history.

On the death of General Brock, Major- General Sheaffe, an
American by birth, assumed the chief command of the troops,
and the administration of the affairs of the Province, and
unfortunately retained that command -during the campaign of
1813. On the 25th of February, 1813, General Sheaffe convened
the Parliament at York, and passed several necessary measures,
Among these was one to facilitate the circulation in the Province
of the army bills, issued in Lower Canada, and making them a
legal tender in all public offices. Another act authorized the
Government to prohibit the exportation of grain, and restrain dis-
tillation thereof, owing to an apprehended scarcity of food.
Pensions were granted to widows and orphans of militiamen
killed in the war. The sale of liquors was prohibited to Indians
for a specified period, and several other useful bills passed.
Meanwhile the Americans were making the most strenuous exer-
tions to ensure the conquest of Canada in the ensuing campaign.
Large armies were massed on the frontier, one of which was
destined to attack the capital of Upper Canada. Their plan of
operations was based on the same system of combined move-
ments which had been so disastrous with them the preceding
year. Commodore Chauncey, aided by a strong land force under
General Pike, was to capture the town of York, and invest Fort
George at Niagara. Agreeable to this plan of operations
Chauncey sailed from Sackett's Harbour on the '25th of April,
with fourteen armed vessels having sixteen thousand troops on
board, and on the evening of the following day appeared off
Toronto, then garrisoned by a force of only six hundred regulars
and militia. On the ensuing day the enemy commenced to dis-
embark about three miles to the west of the town, (on the old
plank road near the Humber), a movement accomplished with
considerable difficulty, owing to the steady resistance of the

HISTORICAL.

Canadians and regular troops. These,, however, after display-
ing great gallantry, and suffering severe loss, were compelled
to retire to the town. General Dearborn, who remained
on board one of the vessels of the fleet, had entrusted the
command of his troops to Brigadier Pike. The latter now
formed his men on the beach, in order to take the British position
in flank, while the fleet, which had worked up into the harbour,
should assail it in front. It appears from all that can be gathered
on the subject, that the defences of York at this period were in a
most wretched condition, owing to the culpable negligence of
Sheaffe. Chauncey's fire from the shipping completely over-
powered the batteries on shore, and enabled Pike to carry the
first line of defences with little difficulty. When at the distance
of tw^o hundred yards from the principal western battery its f].re
suddenly ceased, and the Americans at once halted, being under
the idea that the British were about to surrender. The next
moment the head of their column was literally blown into the
air, owing to an artillery sergeant of the name of Marshall firing
the powder magazine to prevent its falling into their hands.
Had they advanced a little nearer the greater part of the enemy
must have been destroyed ; as it was they had over two hundred
killed and wounded. Among the latter was General Pike who
died a few hours afterwards. Several British soldiers were also
killed by the explosion, which shook the town and surrounding
w^aters as though it had been an earthquake. American writers
censure Sheaft'e for blowing up the magazine, and pronounce it
as a piece of unparalleled barbarity; but acts of this kind are per-
fectly legitimate in vrarfare, and of frequent occurrence. The
Americans were there solely for the purposes of conquest and
aggrandisement ; and their invasion was accordingly of that
odious stamp, as to make it only a subject of regret that the
whole column was not blown up. In any case Sheaffe had nothing to
do with it, and with Marshall solely rested the responsibility. It
now became evident that the few British troops and militia,
would not bo able to resist an enemy so vastly their superior in
numbers and artillery.- The garrison was accordingly withdrawn

TORONTO : PAST AKD PRESENT.

towards the town, the powder maj^azines blo^vn up, and a ship on
the stocks, as well as the naval stores, destroyed. These opera-
tions completed. General Sheaffe retired toward Kingston w^ith
his few regular troops, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Chewitt of the
militia to treat with the enemy, who now gained possession of
the town after an obstinate contest with a force scarcely one-
third his number (not taking his navy into <?onsideration,) of
seven hours duration. Sheaffe, how^ever, suffered much in the
public estimation, on account of his failure in defending Toronto,
and was shortly afterwards superseded in the chief command of
Upper Canada by Major-General De Eottenberg. On his return
to the Lower Province he was appointed to command the troops
in the district of Montreal. The British loss in the action was
severe, one hundred and thirty having been killed and wounded ;
that of the Americans was much more serious, and swelled up to
nearly three hundered and fifty. The militia to the number of
two hundred and ninety-three surrendered as prisoners of war.
The regular troops, as we have already seen, effected an orderly
retreat, and it is a matter of surprise that Sheaffe did not also
take the militia with him, in which case the Americans would
have had no prisoners to boast of. As it was they got posses-
sion of the militia muster rolls, and endeavoured to swell up the
list of captures by including all the men enumerated, but the
greater part of whom v/ere absent. The Americans burned all
the public buildings, carried off the artillery and naval stores, and
everything else that they could possibl}^ remove, and evacuated
the place on the first of May. York was occupied by the British
troops in the early part of June, and again suffered from the
ruthless hand of the spoiler at the end of July. Tow^ards the end of
this month the American fleet again appeared on the lake, and,
W'ith a body of troops on board, stood tow^ards Burlington Heights,
the principal depot of the British Army, with the view of destroy-
ing the stores collected there. This design Avas frustrated by a
rapid movement of the Glengarry Fencibles. from York, but
they left the town defenceless, and Commodore Chauncey, taking
advantage of this movement, landed a body of troops here on the

HISTORICAL.

£3rcl of July, who, meeting with no opposition, set fire to the
barracks and public storehouses, liberated the prisoners from the
jail, illtreated some of the inhabitants, and then retired with
such loot as they could find. One capture made during these
times is still preserved sacred as a trophy of the raid. This was
a fire engine, presented to the inhabitants in 1802 by Lieutenant-
Governor Hunter. It is now kept by the United States Govern-
ment in the Na^vy Yard, having been taken by one Eobert H.
Nichols. The Americans came to free the Canadian people from
what they termed the tyranny of Great Britain, but found them, on
the whole, loyal, incorruptible, and satisfied with their condition.
They talked to Canadians of the rights of humanity ; how all men
were free and equal ; while thousands of trembling slaves withered
under the lash on the plantations in the south. They boasted
of their respect for the rights of property, yet they plundered the
defenceless peasantry of Canada, burned their fences, and visited
iheir happy , homes with the dreadful horrors of invasion. But
ail this was not enough. On the 10th of December — the dark,
stormy December of 1813 — McClure, by order of his government,
the Congress of the United States, as expressed through James
Madison, President, and John Armstrong, Secretary of War,
turned four hundred hel^Dless women and children into the streets
at half an hour's notice, and burned their homes to the ground.
One house only in Niagara was left standing, and the unfortu-
nate inmates of one hundred and fifty dwellings were driven forth,
in some cases without clothing, to shield them from the piercing
wind, to find food and shelter where they best might.

About the middle of December, 1813, Lieutenant-Genern.l Sir
Gordon Drummond arrived at York, to assume the direction of
public affairs, civil and military, Governor Gore being then
absent in England. General Drummond lost no time in proceed-
ing to the headquarters of the army, near Queenston, and assisted
materially in closin<^ successfully the campaign of 1813. On the
15th of February, 1814, he assembled Parhament at the capital,
and several necessary measures were passed, one of which
authorized the appropriation of six thousand pounds sterhng for
roads and bridges.

TORONTO : VAST AND PRESENT.

On the 24th of December, 1813, the Treaty of Ghent fortunately
put a termination to the hostilities which had distracted the two
countries, and during which the progress of York had not only
been checked, but its public buildings destroyed, and many of its
inhabitants impoverished. On the 3rd of April, 1815, His Excel-
lency Sir George Prevost, Governor- General of Canada, having
returned to England to answer to some charges affecting his
military character. Sir Gordon Drummond was appointed
Governor-General, and assumed the direction of Government in
Lower Canada, Generals Murry and Kobinson administering the
affairs of Upper Canada, until the return of Lieutanant- Governor
Gore to York, about the end of 1815. On the 6th of February,
1816, Lieutenant-Governor Gore opened Parliament, in a tempo-
rary building erected at York, and during this session a bill was
passed which laid the foundation of our common school
system, by appropriating the sum of six thousand pounds sterling
per annum to assist in paying the salaries of the teachers and in
purchasing books for the use of the schools. By this Act the
people were authorized to " meet together in any town, village, or
township, to make arrangements for establishing common schools
in such town, village, or township, at each of which the attendance
of pupils should not be less than twenty-five." It also authorized
that three "fit and discreet" persons should be chosen as trustees,
who were to ''examine into the moral character and capacity of
any person willing to become a teacher, and appoint him."

In January, 1817, regular communication was opened bot\\-een
York and Kingston, and thence to Montreal, by Mr. Samuel
Purdy, who established a weekly stage between the two places,
It left Kingston every Monday morning and York every Thursday
morning, stopping at Spaulding's Inn, Grafton, as a half-Wiiy ^
house. The fare v/as eighteen dollars, with twenty pounds of bag-
gage allow^ed. The next winter (1818) the fare was reduced to ten
dollars. At this time the population of the town was one thousand
two hundred, having increased about three hundred the preceding
six years. Lieutenant-Governor Gore having been recalled. Sir
Peregrine Maitland arrived in Canada on the 2Dth of July, 1818,

HISTOHTCAL.

to direct the affairs of the Upper Province. During this yep.r the
first Methcdist Church was errected in the town. It was built
upon a plot of kind near the corner of King and Jordan streets. ^
It was a plain frame building, forty feet by forty, having one
entrance by a large double door, fronting on King street. The
sides were pierced with three small whidows. The front also
contained two windows, one on each side the door. The interior
was fitted up with a square, box-like pulpit in the centre of the
southern end of the building ; along each side, leaving a passage
down the centre of the church, was a row of plain, wooden forms,
with backs. The custom of dividing the men from the women
was here followed, the women occupying the seats on the right
or west side, and the men the east side. The entire cost of this/
structure was about two hundred and fifty dollars, and it took ]
the Methodists of York nearly tki'ee years to raise funds to pay [
for the same.

HISTOrtlCAL.

CHAPTEE III.

Convention of Delegates to Consider the Affairs of the Province— Govern-
ment Favorites — Sir Peregrine Maitland — Enlargement of St. James'
Church — Interior of St. James'— York in 1821— Presbyterian Meet-
ing-House — York General Hospital — Presentation of Colors to the
York Militia — King Street and Simcoe Street in 1821— Sinking of
Public Well— Public Whipping — Dr. Strachan — Prices of Groceries,
Dry Goods, etc., etc. — William Lyon Mackenzie — Government
Animosity — Population in 1824 — Destruction of ihe Colonial Advocate
Office — University Charter ; its Unfair Character — Piobert Baldwin's
Entrance into Public Life — Sir John Colborne — His First Parliament
— Egerton Ryerson and the Christian Guardian — Foundation ot
Upper Canada College.

UEING the summer of 1818. a convention of delegates
from a number of townships throughout the Province
met at York to consider the desirabihty of petitioning
the Imperial Parliament to investigate the affairs of the Province.
From the close of the war in 1814 a spirit of dissatisfaction had
been steadily growing among the people of Upper Canada. The
war had drawn almost the entire male population into its vortex,
and had completely unsettled the habits of the people. Many had
acquired a fondness for militar}^ life, and returned discontented
to the drudgery of their farms ; Government, too, had neglected
to give the promised grants of land to the volunteers and em-
bodied militia, and this created an intense feeling of irritation
against the Executive ; thus the inhabitants were disposed to
quarrel more pointedly with anything which they supposed in-
terfered with their individual prosperity, and to investigate more
narrowly into causes tending to check the general progress of
the country.

It began to be seen that Government favorites got grants of
valuable lands, and held them in reserve (wild lands being tlieu
untaxed), till the labours of the surrounding settlers made it
doubly valuable. It began to be seen that a few half-pay ]3ritish

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

officers, United Empire Loyalists, and some other settlers of
aristocratic pretensions, had formed a family compact, and who,
by establishing themselves in nearly all the highest public
offices, maintained a decided influence in the Executive Council.
From Hunter to Colborne successive governors in their turn
either at once submitted to their influence or were compelled to
do so after a short and unavailing struggle. The Bench, the
Magistracy, the high offices of the Church of England wwe filled
by their adherents, who were also numerous among the members
of the Bar. These and a number of other abuses the convention
discussed, and passed resolutions thereon, wdiich, meeting with
the general approval of the inhabitants, alarmed the Executive,
wdio shortly afterwards determined that the promised grants of
land should be made to the militia embodied during the war.

On the 12th of October Sir Peregrine Maitland, who succeeded
Lieutenant-Governor Gore, for the first time met the Upper
Canadian Parliament. Sir Peregrine soon became very unpopular
in York, and in fact throughout the Province. Of haughty and
overbearing manners, with much more of the military man about
him than the civil Governor, he w^as not adapted by nature for a
popular ruler, and leaned from habit and constitutional tempera-
ment to a system of arbitrary Government. The fact, too, of his
having eloped with the Duke of Eichmond's daughter at Paris,
while the allied armies lay there after Waterloo, and that he was
merely sent out by the Home Ministry by way of making pro-
vision for him in deference to his father-in-law, and not in
consequence of his fitness for the office, gradually leaked out,
and tended to make him still more unpopular. During this year
the Presbyterians of York began to hold services at regular
intervals, though the first Presbyterian Church was not built
until 1821. The population of the capital now amounted to
1,200, and contained about 200 houses, with five taverns and two
churches. Even in these early days, the dramsliop appears to have
flourished among the inhabitants, with a vigour not surpassed in
modern times.

HISTORICAL.

The erection of the Methodist Church, the building of a few
residences and stores, together with the enlargment of St. James'
Church, made this a memorable year in the growth of the Town.
The Gazette, by means of an advertisement in February, furnishes
considerable information respecting the intentions of the Congre-
gation. The advertisement was as follows:

''Advertisement. Plans and estimates for enlarging and repair-
ing the Church wdll be received by the Subscribers before the 20th
of March, on which day a decision will be made, and the con-
tractor whose proposals shall be approved of must commence
the work as the season will permit. The intention is: Frst: To
lengthen the Church forty feet towards the east, with a circular
end, thirty of which to form part of the body of the Church, and
the remaining ten an Altar, with a small vestry room on the one
side, and a Government Pew on the other. Second : To remove the
Pulpit to the north side, and erect two Galleries, one opposite to
it and another on the west end. Third: To alter the Pews to
suit the situation of the Pulpit, and to paint and number the
same throughout the Church. Fourth : To raise a Belfry on the
west end, and make a handsome entrance on the south side of
the Church, and to paint the whole building on the outside. —
Thomas Kidout, J. B. Eobinson, William Allan, Churcluvardens.
—February 18, TSIS. "

Instead, however, of the Church being lengthened eastward,
additions were made to the north and south of the edifice, giving
the Church a north and south direction. An additional entrance
was also added fronting on King street, over which was erected a
small square tower, bearing a circular bell-turret surmounted by
a small spire covered with tin. The original western door entering
from Church street, was still retained, but was only used to admit
the Garrison troops (on Sundays or other occasions of Divine
service) who sat on benches extending the entire length of the
building. The bell in the turret was so heavy that it is said to
have jarred the entire building every time it was rung.

Dr. Scadding, in his valuable work " Toronto of Old," thus
describes the interior aspect of the Church :

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

In the interior, a central aisle or open passage led from the
door to the southern end of the church, where, on the floor, was
situate a pew of state for the Lieutenant-Governor ; small square
pillars at its four corners sustained a flat canopy over it, immedi-
ately under the ceiling of the gallery ; and below this distinctive
tester or covering, suspended against the wall, were the royal
arms emblazoned on a black tablet of board or canvas. Half
way up the central aisle, on the right side, was an open space,
in which were planted the pulpit, reading di-sk, and clerk's pew,
in the old orthodox fashion, rising by gradations one above the
other, the whole overshadowed by a rather handsome sounding-
board, sustained partially by a rod from the roof. Behind this
mountainous structure was the altar, lighted copiously by the
original east window. Two narrow side aisles, running parallel
with the central one, gave access to corresponding rows of pews,
each having a numeral painted on its door. Two passages for
the same purpose ran westward from the space in front of the
pulpit. To the right and left of the Lieutenant-Governor's seat,
and filling up (with the exception of two square corner pews) the
rest of the northern end of the church, were two oblong pews;
the one on the west appropriated to the officers of the Garrison, the
other, on the east, to the members of the Legislature. Eound to
the north, west, and south sides of the interior ran a gallery,
divided, like the area below, into pews. This structure was sus-
tained by a row of pillars of turned wood, and from it to the roof
above rose another row of similar supports. The ceiling
over the parts exterior to the gallery was divided into four
shallow, semi-circular vaults, which met at a circular point. The
pews everywhere were painted of a buff or yellowish hue, with
the exception of the rims at the top which were black. The
pulpit, and its appurtenances were white. The rims just referred
to at the tops of the pews, throughout the whole church, exhibited
at regular intervals small gimlet holes : in these were inserted
annually, at Christmas-tide, small sprigs of hemlock and spruce.
The interior, when thus dressed, wore a cheerful, refreshing look,
in keeping with the festival commemorated."

HISTOTIICA.L.

In 1820 the Parliament House, which had been burned in 1813,
was re-erected. The Parliament House was described as a long,
commodious building, built with brick, and with much simplicity.
Talbot, speaking of the appearance of the town in 1821, says :
"The town now contains one thousand three hundred and thirty-
six inhabitants, and about two . hundred and fifty houses, many
of which have a very agreeable appearance. The public edifices
are a Protestant Episcopal Church, a Eoman Catholic Chapel,
a Presbyterian Meeting House, a Methodist Meeting House, the
Parliament House, and the residence of the Lieutenant-Governor,
The Episcopal Church is a building devoid of decoration, con-
structed of wood, with a belfry of wood. The Eoman Catholic
Chapel, which is not yet completed, it is proposed to make very
magnificent." With the exception of the Eoman Catholic Chapel,
not a vestige of any public building, here spoken of by Talbot,
now remains. The Episcopal Church now stands as St. James' /
Cathedral, on the original site ; but it is the third edifice re-
erected on the same spot since 1821. The magnificent Eoman
Catholic Chapel, here spoken of, is what the citizens now know
as the unattractive building on Power street, a building accord-
ing to modern notions, wanting in every element of beauty or
magnificence. The Presbyterian Meeting House was an unpre-
tentious structure, standing in what was then the suburbs of York,
the site of which is now covered by the more graceful and modern
Knox Church, in the very heart of the city to-day. The Metho-
dist Meeting House was built on King street west, and stood in
the midst of a fine orchard, far removed from any otlier build-
ings. This humble, barn-like structure, has given place to more
pretentious erections, and the site where the church and orchard
then stood is now covered with the furniture warehouse of Messrs.
Hay & Co. Talbot also spoke of the York General Hospital as
" being the most important building in the Province, having a fine
exterior." Dr. Scadding in his "Toronto of Old," describes this,
"the most important building in the Province," as "a spacious,
unadorned, matter-of-fact, two story structure of red brick, one
hundred and seven feet long, and sixty-six feet wide. It had,

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

by the direction of Dr. Grant Powell, as we have heard, the
peculiarity of standing with its sides precisely east and west,
north and south. At a subsequent period, it consequently had
the appearance of being jerked around bodil}^, the streets in
the neighborhood not being laid out with the same precise regard
to the cardinal points. The building exhibited recessed galleries
on the north and south sides, and a flattish tipped roof. The
interior was conveniently designed. In the fever wards here, during
the terrible season of 184.<7, frightful scenes of suffering and death
were witnessed among the newly arrived emigrants ; here it was
that in ministering to them in their distress so many were struck
down, some all but fatally, others wholly so ; among the latter
several leading medical men, and the Eoman Catholic Bishop
Power." The old Government House has also disappeared, but
upon much the same site the present magnificent edifice now
stands. This part of the city in 1821, and for many years after-
wards, was a very open and unoccupied space, and had a very
countrified look. In a number of the Weekly Ue^ister for that
year we read an account of the presentation of a set of colors to
a regiment of militia drawn up on the road near the hospital.
The Register states: — ''Tuesday, the 23rd inst., (April,) being
the anniversary of St. George, on which it had been appointed
to celebrate His Majesty's birthday, George lY., the East and
West Kegiments, with Captain Button's Troop of Cavalry, which
are attached to the North York Eegiment, on the right, were
formed in line at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, on the road
in front of the Government House, and a Guard of Honor,
consisting of one hundred rank and file from each regiment,
with officers and sergeants in proportion, under the command
of Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzgibbon, were formed at a short
distance in front of the centre, as the representative of the
militia of the Province, in order to receive the rich and beautiful
colors which His Majesty h&s been graciously pleased to com-
mand should be prepared for the late incorporated battalion, as
an honorable testimony of the high sense which His Majesty has
been pleased to entertain of the zeal and gallantry of the militia

HISTORICAL.

of Upper Canada." The Register further states that at twelve
o'clock a royal salute was fired from the Garrison, and Lieuten-
ant-Governor Sir P. Maitland, with his staff, having arrived on
the ground, proceeded to review the widely extended line, after
which, taking his station in front of the whole, the band struck
up the National Anthem of " God Save the King." His Excel-
lency then dismounted, and, accompanied by his staff on foot,
approached the Guard of Honor so near as to be distinctly heard
by the men ; when, uncovering himself and taking one of the
colors in his hand, in the most graceful manner, he presented
them to the proper officers, with the following address:—
"Soldiers, — I hg.ve grept satisfaction in presenting you, as the
representatives of the late incorporated battalion, with these
colors — a distinguished mark of His Majesty's approbation. They
will be to you a proud memorial of the past, and a rallying point
around which you will gather with alacrity and confidence should
your active service be required hereafter by your King and
country." His Excellency having remounted, the -Guard of
Honor marched, with band playing and colors flying from right
to left, in front of the whole line, and then proceeded to lodge
their colors at the Government House, It is further added " that
the day was raw and cold, and the ground wet and uneven ; the
men could neither form nor march with that precision they
would otherwise have exhibited. We were very much pleased,
however, with the soldier-like appearance of the Guard of Honor,
and we were particularly struck with the new uniform of the
officers of the West York as being particularly well adapted for
the kind of warfare incident to a thickly wooded country. Even
at a short distance it would be difficult to distinguish the grey
coat or jacket from the bole of a tree. There was a very full
attendance on the field, and it was particularly gratifying to
observe so much satisfaction on all sides. The colors, which are
very elegant, are inscribed with the word ''Niagara," to com-
memorate the services rendered by the Incorporated Battalion
on that frontier ; and we doubt not that the proud distinction
which attends these banners will always sorve to excite the most

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

animating recollections whenever it will be necessary for them
to wave over the heads of Canadian Heroes, actually formed in
battle array against the invaders of om- country." At two o'clock
His Excellency held a levee, and in the evening a splendid ball
at the Government House concluded the ceremonies and rejoic-
ings of the day. The site on which this military display was
held, these open fields where the gallant defenders of early York
were paraded to receive their well-merited marks of royal recog-
nition, is now one of the most thickly built portions of King street
west, extending eastward from Simcoe almost to York street.
Shortly after this another step is taken suggestive of the progress
of the town by the digging of a public well for the supply of
water to the inhabitants without carrying all required for domestic
purposes from the Bay.

An advertisement in the Upper Canada Gazette, dated June
9th, 1823, calls for tenders for the sinking of a well, stoning, and
sinking a pump therein, in the most approved manner, at the

^ Market Square, in the Town of Y^rk, for the convenience of the
public. This work, the first public waterworks built by the town,
was completed during the ensuing month, at a cost of £28 Is. 3d.
This public pump soon became a landmark in the centre
of ihe capital ; here it was that the municipal affairs were dis-

y cussed by small knots of busy politicans ; matters relative to the
Government of the Province here became the theme of discus-
sion ; and here, too, the public auctions were mostly conducted,
and the lash administered to such offenders as had to receive that
brutal and degrading punishment.

Dr. Scadding states that he once witnessed here a public whip-
ping in the case of two culprits. A discharged regimental drum-
mer, a native African, administered the lash. " The Sheriff
stood by keeping count of the stripes. The senior of the two
unfortunates bore his punishment with stoicism, encouraging the
negro to strike with more force. The other, a young man,
endeavored for a little while to imitate his companion in this
respect ; but soon was obliged to evince, by fearful cries, the tor-
ture he endured." This brutal practice of whipping, and even

^50

HISTOEICAL.

branding, culprits in public, was begun in York in its earliest
clays, for in the Gazette of December 1st, 1798, we read : " Last
Monday William Hawkins was publicly whipped, and Joseph
McCarthy burned in the hand, at the Market Place, pursuant to
their sentence."'

The Parliament of 1821 contained five new^ members called to
the Honorable Legislative Council of the Province by His Majesty
King George IV. Four of these were ordinary and every day
men ; the other, the first on the list, was a man of mark, the
late Bishop Strachan, who was promoted from the office of chap-
lain to the honorable councillors to be an honorable councillor
himself. His rise had been equally rapid and extraordinary,
and presents an apt illustration of what shrewdness, tact, and
political sagacity, in connexion with even average abilities, can
do for a man in a new country, such as Canada then w^as, and
wdiere society w^as, as yet, rough and unformed. The story of
Bishop Strachan's fortunes reminds one of the fortunate heroes
of romance. Descended from a poor peasant family in Scotland
he was thrown at an early period of life upon his own resources
for subsistence. After picking up a little classical learning at
Aberdeen he became, in 1796, and at the age of eighteen, teacher
to the children of a farmer in Angusshire. He subsequently
taught the parish schools of Dunine and Kettle in Fifeshire at a
salary of some thirty pounds per annum. On this small stipend
he eked out an existence for some time, while attending St.
Andrews's College as an irregular student, wdth the view of being
admitted into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, of the
Anti-Burgher branch, of which church he was or had been a
member. His ancestors also had all belonged to the Kirk ; and
possibly some of them, too, in the old persecuting times of Laud
and Claverhouse, had struck boldly for the Covenant at Drumley
and Bothwell Bridge. Pdchard Cartwright, of Kingston, b3ing
desirous to have the benefit of a good education for his children,
solicited his friend, Dr. Hamilton, of Gladsmuir, in East Lothian,
to send him a young man qualified for a family tutor, to whom
he would give fifty pounds currency per annum, by way of salary.

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Dr. Hamilton offered the situation to Mr. Straclian, who gladly
closed with the proposal, and accordingly came out to Canada in
1799, during Mr. Hunter's Administration. After teaching in
Mr. Cartwright's family for a time, he became master of the dis-
trict school at Cornwall, then a small and very poor village of
about four hundred inhabitants. While following this situation
he married a widow with some property, and as he was a person
of saving and economical habits, his condition in point of money
matters was materially improved. He still continued a member of
the Presbyterian Church, and at this period we find him in. treaty,
at his own instance, with a congregation* in Montreal, to become
their minister, he proposing, if they paid him a sufficient salary
(three hundred pounds a year) to return to Scotland for ordination.
The congregation, however, being either too poor or unwilling
to meet Mr. Strachan's views in point of remuneration, the matter
terminated. Travel usually serves to make one more a man of
the world, and not unfrequently brushes away many preconceived
notions. Such appears to have been the case with Mr. Strachan.
His experience in the backwoods of Canada had materially dimin-
ished his veneration for John Knox, and he had now by no means
the dread of the "black prelacy" and the Book of Common Prayer,
so common to strict Scottish Presbyterians of the olden time.
The prospects of the Presbyterian Church in Canada were poorer
than they are now; it had none of the clergy reserves, while the
post of schoolmaster in a little country village presented scarcely
hope of preferment. On the other hand, one-seventh of tiie broad
acres of Canada belonged, as it was then supposed, to the Church
of England, for ever, and as time rolled on it must become the
wealthiest religious corporation the world ever saw. Then it was
also the state church of the land ; its ministry gave a ready
passport into the best society; and to a man like Mr. Strachan,
poor, friendless, and burisd in an obscure little village, three

* This was the St. Gabriel Street Presbyterian congregation. Before they erected
their own church, they were permitted to meet for worship in a French Roman
Catholic Church, belonging to one of the lay orders, which, in return, they presented
with a pipe of wine.

histoeical.

hundred miles away from the seat of Government, it presented
the only secure road to fortune. The shrewd Scotch schoolmaster
marked out his course, struck into it vigorously, and on the 2nd
of May, 1803, was ordained a deacon by Bishop Mountain, of
Quebec, was priested in the following year, and appointed to the
mission in Cornwall. He was subsequently promoted to be rector
of Toronto, and his course was now steadily onward, until we find
him, as already stated, a member of the Legislative Council of
Upper Canada. And yet, this very remarkable success was
achieved without any exhibition of brilliant talent or learning.
Dr. Strachan's opportunities could not have sufficed to make him
a profound scholar, nor did he attain to celebrity in any of the
other walks of literature. He was neither a Tillotson, a Jeiemj
Taylor, or a Whately. The Sketches of Canada," which he is
said to have written, met with such slender success that, we
believe, he never afterwards attempted anything in the way of
authorship. Nor were his pulpit discourses distinguished for
their elegance of diction. His sermons, whatever may have been
their intrinsic merits, were delivered with so broad an accent as
to make them particularly unpleasant to the natives of other
countries besides his own. His success, therefore, must be sought
in the facts that he was a clever man of the world, a shrewd
judge of human nature, and possessed of sufiicient tact to turn
these qualities to best account. With Bishop Strachan's career
subsequent to 1821, most people in Canada are acquainted.
Further biographical detail is consequently unnecessary. At once
a minister of religion and an active politican, he filled a prominent
position in the public affairs of this Province, as a legislative and
executive councillor, till the final overthrow of the Family Compact,
of which he continued to be one of the most active members.

In 1821 the Market Place, which, from 1803, had been regularly
held here, was inclosed in a strong picket fence. It is interest-
ing to compare prices then current with those of the present day.
Beef was then two pence and four pence per pound ; mutton five
pence ; fowls, per pair, one shilling and three i:)ence ; turkeys
each, three shilling and nine pence ; Geese, two shillings ; eggs,

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

five pence per dozen ; cheese, five pence per pound ; butter, seven
and a half pence per pound ; flour, per barrel, twelve shillings
and six pence ; wood, per cord, ten shillings. Groceries exhibit a
greater range in prices. Teas : Hyson, sixteen shillings per
pound ; Bohea, seven shillings per j)0und ; Souchong, twelve
shillings. Sugar : best loaf, three shillings per pound ; raisins,
two shillings to three shillings and six pence per pound ; figs, three
shillings per pound ; salt, per barrel, twenty-five shillings. Dry
goods were equally high ; the current prices for common grey
calico were about one dollar per yard. The greater part of trade
was carried on by barter ; but such luxuries as teas, sugars, etc.,
were always considered as cash articles, and for which cash must
always be paid.

In 1824 the name of William Lyon Mackenzie first became
associated with the political history of York. McMullen describes
Mackenzie as " being descended from a poor Highlahd family of
Perthshire, who, like the rest of their clan, cherished a strong
affection for the Stuart dynasty. His paternal grandfather,
Colin Mackenzie, joined the standard of the Pretender in 1745,
and after the fatal battle of Culloden fled with him to the conti-
nent. His mother was also a Mackenzie, of the same clan, and
the old family Bible records that she w^as married to Daniel on
the 8th of May, 1794, at Dundee. Their circumstances were of
the most humble kind, and Daniel earned his daily bread as a
weaver. William Lyon, their only child, was born in March,
1795, and twenty-seven days afterwards lost his father, in conse-
quence of a severe cold contracted at a dancing party. Belong-
ing to the strict seceding Presbyterians, the widow, a woman of
strong nerve and resolute will, sought to imbue her son's mind,
as he grew up, with her own fervid religious impressions, and to
give him the best education that her poverty, and which at
times extended to the actual necessaries of life, would permit. If
she failed in religious points of view, she succeeded in storing his
mind with a vast mass of general information, and an ardent love
of liberty. But the latitude allow^ed him, as an only child, by his
widowed mother, gave Mackenzie an erratic and restless turn of

HISTORICAL

mind, which seriously militated against him in after life. After
leaving school we find him, for a short time, an apprentice in a
draper's shop in Dundee ; next an articled clerk in the counting-
room of a timber merchant of the name of Grey. ; and at the early
age of nineteen he appears, in the small town of Alyth, as the
proprietor of a little shop of odds and ends and a circulating
library, to become a bankrupt in the brief period of three years.
In the spring of 1817 he crossed the Tweed into England, became
the clerk for a brief space for the Kenneth and Avon Canal Com-
pany, then filled a similar office for a while in London, and finally
emigrated to Canada in April, 1820. His course in this country
was as erratic and uncertain as it had been in Scotland. Of
slender frame and only five feet six inches in stature, his massive
head, bald from early fever, and high and broad in the frontal
region, looked far too large for the small body it surmounted.
His eye, clear and piercing, his firm-set Scotch mouth, his chin,
long and broad, and the general contour of his features, made up
a countenance indicative of strong will and great resolution, while
the ceaseless activity of his fingers, and the perpetual twitching
of the lower part of his face betrayed that restlessness and ner-
vousness of disposition which so darkly clouded his existence. For
a brief period Mackenzie was employed in some subordinate
capacity in connexion with the survey of the Lachine Canal. We
next find him keeping a small drug store in York, and after a
short stay there he removed to Dundas, where he and John Leslie
entered into partnership, to carry on the drug business, to which
was added hardware, groceries, paints and dye-stuffs, as well as
a circulating library. This partnership) only lasted, from some
cause, for fifteen months, when he removed to Niagara. At this
place he opened a general store on his own account, but still,
unstable as water, he abandoned this enterprise within a year,
became a public journalist, and on the 18th of Ma}^ 1824, issued
the first number of the Colonial Advocate, containing thirty-two
octavo pages. In it he describes himself as an independent
editor, neither rich nor in want ; and gave an amusing exhibition
of his eccentricity of mind by publishing twelve hundred copies

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

without having, as yet, ohtained a single suhscriher. Its topics
were varied, widely dissimilar, as might naturally be expected,
and tinged with no small portion of egotism. He declared him-
self a Calvinist in religion, and his adherence to the Westminster
Confession, approved the wisdom of the British Legislature in
setting apart the clergy reserves in support of the Protestant
religion, but demurred to their being monopolized by the Church
of England. The Executive, the Bench, the Bar, and the Church
were criticised in turn, and in some cases most unfavorably. Sir
Peregrine Maitl(ind was unpleasantly contrasted with De Witt
Clinton, Governor of New York State. The Legislative Council
were designated as the "tools of a servile power," and the Church
and the Ba.r were not in the satisfactory state they should be.
Finally, he averred that the Imperial Union Bill of 1818 had been
rightly rejected, and the union of all the British American Pro-
vinces the only desirable one. The very first issue of the Advo-
cate awoke the greatest alarm in the minds of the Family
Compact. A prying Scotchman had come to disturb their repose,
and their organ suggested that he should forthwith be banished
from the Province, and the whole edition of his paper confiscated.
To the charge of disloyalty Mackenzie responded by publishing
an amusing autobiography of himself, after the fashion of Cobbett,
soundly berating, at the same time, Fothergill, editor of the York
Observer, and a member of the Assembly, and John Beverly
Eobinson, and declairing that he would rather work for his bread
than submit to the official fungi of the country, more numerous
and pestilential than the marshes and quagmires that encircled
Toronto. After issuing the Advocate two or three times, he
adopted the broadsheet as the most convenient form for a public
journal, and, in the November following, removed to York, where
he speedily became noted as a grievance-monger, and a keen
hunter up of abuses in the various public dejDartments. The
Assembly were only a few weeks in session when his petition on
the subjects of disorders in the Post Office Department was
brought up by Matthews and McCalh His allegations were sup-
ported by the investigations of a committee. It was proved that

1
I:

Ill

HISTORICAL.

the mail bags were often filled with goods, letters opened and
missent, and that it would be advisable the Provincial instead of
the Imperial Government should have control of this department.
After his removal to York, Mackenzie, by his sarcastic exposure
of Government abuses, and pungent articles in the Advocate,
aroused the animosity of the Government and Executive, which
was manifested on every occasion. As an instance of this feeling,
it is reported that after the ceremony of re-interring the remains
of General Brock, at Queenston Heights, on the 14th of September,

1824, some person, in the absence of Mr, Mackenzie, put into a
hole in the rock a bottle which he had filled with coins and news-
papers, and among which was a single number of the Advocate.
When the fact became known to the authorities the foundation
was ordered to be torn up and the obnoxious paper taken out,
that the ghost of the immortal warrior might not be disturbed by
its presence, and the structure not be rendered insecure. At the
time when this feeling was strongest against his journal he
removed to York, in the very midst of his opponents. By this
step the circulation of the Advocate was considerably increased,
the number rising from six hundred in November, to eight hun-
dred and twenty-five in Januaay, 1825. At Christmas in 1824,
the northern wing of the Legislative buildings, situated on the
site of the old jail, w^as accidently burned down, but fortunately
the library and furniture were saved. The loss to the Province
was estimated at ^£2,000, a sum then considered as almost irre-
parable. The press of the country spoke of it as a sad calamity;
yet much more is now spent for the erection of buildings for
school purposes in Canadian villages. On the 11th of Januar}',

1825, the Parliament was convened, and met in the General
Hospital on King street. The meeting of this Parliament excited
a good deal of interest, not only in York, but throughout the Pro-
vince ; for party lines were beginning to be more distinctl}" drawn,
and the influence and power of the Family Compact party began
to wane. The election of speaker tested the strength of the res-
pective parties. John Wilson, of Wentworth, was chosen by a
Eeform majority of two, the vote standing twenty-one to nineteen.

TOKONTO : PAST AND PKESENT.

He was a plain farmer, but a man of sound common sense, calm,
temperate, and dispassionate ; his election was a popular one
with his party. The Family Compact was at length in a minority ;
the Reformers, however, proceeded warily. The address in reply
to the Governor's speech was agreed to unanimously, and couched
in as complimentry language as he could desire. Still it was
evident that Sir Peregrine Maitland felt an apprehension of
approaching trouble. He even forgot to make his usual gracious
reply, an honor he vouchsafed to the Upper House. The long
shadows of Canadian discontent were already settled down on his
Administration, and the scathing articles of the Colonial Advocate
sadly disturbed his prospects of repose.

York at this time numbered over three hundred houses and
had a population of one thousand six hundred and seventy-seven.
Henceforward its growth became more rapid than it had been in
the past, and fortunately the agues, chills, and fevers, with which
the inhabitants had previously been afflicted, began to become
matters of history. Being the seat of Government the residents
took a deep interest in the political affairs of the Province. The
line of deroarkation between the Reformers and Family Compact
supporters being very distinct, and this feeling was also intensified y
by the speeches of W. L. Mackenzie among the people, and by
his articles in the Advocate. So bitter became the animosity
against the Advocate, that in June, 1826, the office was entered
by a mob and everything utterly destroyed. Mr Lindsay, in his
^' Life and Times of William L. Mackenzie, and the Rebellion of
1837-8," thm describes this incident : — " One fine summer even-
ing, to wit : the 8th of June, 1826, a genteel mob, composed of per-^
sons closely connected with the ruling faction, walked into the
office of the Colonial Advocate, at York, and in accordance with a
pre-concerted plan, set about the destruction of types and press.
Three pages of the paper in type on the composing-stones, with a >/
^' form " of the journals of the House, were broken up and the
face of the letter battered. Some of the type was then thrown
into the Bay, to which the printing office was contiguous ; some
of it was scattered on the floor of the office, more of it in the

HISTORICAL.

yard and in the adjacent garden of Mr. George Munro. The
composmg stone was thrown on the floor. A new cast-iron
patent lever press was broken. "Nothing was left standing,"
said an eye-witness, " not a thing." This scene took place in
broad daylight, and it was said that one or tv/o magistrates, who
could not help witnessing it, never made the least attempt to put
a stop to the outrage. The valiant type-destroyers, who chose
for the execution of their enterprise a day v/hen Mr. Mackenzie
was absent from the place, were most of them closely connected
with the official party, then in a hopeless minority in the Legisla-
ture, and had recently been exasperated by a succession of defeats.
Mr. Baby, Inspector-General, was represented on the occasion by
two sons, Charles and Eaymond, students-at-law. Mr. Henry
Sherwood, son of Mr. Justice Sherwood, gave his personal assist-
ance. Mr. Lyons, confidental secretary of Lieutenant-Governor
Maitland, was there to perform his part. To save appearances
Sir Peregrine Maitland found it necessary to dismiss Lyons from
his confidential situation ; but he soon afterwards rewarded him
with the more lucrative position of Eegistrar of the Niagara
District. Mr. Samuel Peter Jarvis, son-in-lctw of the late Chief
Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench, performed his part, and
found his reward in the appointment to an Indian commissioner-
ship. Charles Eichardson, student-at-law in the the office of the
Attorney-General, and commissioner for taking affidavits, showed
his zeal for the cause of his official friends, and received in requital
the office of the Clerk of the Peace for the Niagara District.
James King, another Clerk of Assize, and student-at-law in Soli-
citor-General Boulton's office, did not hesitate to give his active
assistance. Mr. Charles Heyward, son of Colonel Ileyward,
Auditor-General of Land Patents, and Clerk of the Peace, and
Peter Macdougall, a merchant and ship owner in York, and an
intimate friend of Inspector-General Baby, completed the list cf
eight, against whom the evidence was sufficiently strong for
conviction. This scene took place on what is now the corner cf
Caroline and Palace streets, the printing oHices adjoining Mr.
Mackenzie's private residence, the house having been for a time the

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

residence of one of the early governors of the Province, and was
destroyed by fire some twenty years ago.

In 1826 the joopiilation numbered only one thousand six hun-
dred and seventy-seven, and the town contained some three hun-
dred buildings, about half a dozen of which were brick buildings.
Steamers now began to make their regular appearance in York
Harbour, and general prosperity pervaded all trades and all
classes in the capital.

Sir Peregrine Maitland having entered into correspondence
with the Imperial Government, requesting the establishment of
a University at York, Lord Bathurst, in a despatch under date of
March 21st, 1827, says, I have the honour to inform you that
His Majesty has been pleased to grant a Eoyal Charter by Letters
Patent, imder the Great Seal, for establishing at or near the
Town of York, in the Province of Upper Canada, one college, with
the style and privileges of a university, for the education and
instruction of youth, in arts and faculties, to continue forever, to
be called King's College. I am further to acquaint you that His
Majesty has been pleased to grant one thousand pounds per
annum as a fund for erecting the buildings necessary for the
College, to be paid out of the moneys furnished by the Canada
Company, and to continue during the term of that Company's
agreement. I have to authorize you, on the receipt of this des-
patch, to exchange such crown reserves as have not been made
over to the Canada Company, for an equal portion of the lands
set apart for the purpose of education and foundation of a
university as suggested in your despatch of 19th December, 1825,
and more fully detailed in Dr. Strachan's report of 10th of March,
1826, and you will proceed to endow King's College with the said
crown reserves, with as little delay as possible."

A Eoyal Charter was thus granted in 1827 for the establish-
ment, at or near the Town of York, of a college, with the style
and privileges of a university, to continue forever, to be called
King's College — the Chancellor, President, and such professors
of the said College as shall be appointed members of the College
Council, to be members of the Church of England and Ireland,

HISTORICAL.

and they shall, previously to their admission into the said
College Council, severally sign and subscribe to the thirty-nine
articles of religion, as declared and set forth in the Book of
Common Prayer." In due time the College Council was formed
by His Excellency; but the exclusive character of the charter
was so unsatisfactory to the public generally, that an amendment
was demanded, to the effect that no religious test should be
required, save a distinct declaration " of belief in the authentic.ty
of Divine Inspiration of the Old and New Testaments, and in the
doctrine of the Trinity." The difficulty, however, did not end
here. The following extracts . from a despatch of His Excellency
Lord Elgin, dated Toronto, 4th of February, 1851, to Earl Grey,
then Secretary of the Colonies, gives a concise but comprehensive
view of the difficulties which were superinduced by this exclusive
charter. After referring to various matters which had been sub-
mitted to him by the Colonial Secretary, His Excellency says : —
" The first movement made towards the establishment of a Uni-
versity in Upper Canada was in 1797, when the Legislative
Council and Assembly concurred in an address to the King, im-
ploring that His Majesty would be graciously pleased to direct
His government in this Province to appropriate a certain portion
of the waste lands of the crown, as a fund for the establishment
and support of a respectable Grammar School, in each district
thereof ; and also a college or university for the instruction of
the youth in the different branches of liberal knowledge. A
favorable answer was returned to this address, intimating that it
was His Majesty's most gracious intention to comply with the
wishes of the Legislature of the Province of Upper Canada, and
accordingly a large appropriation of vacant land was shortly
afterwards made for the purpose of the . endowment. In the
year 1807, district schools w^ere established by the Legislature, for
the support of which a special grant was made, as the lands so
set apart had not yet become productive. It is to be observed,
however, that, true to the intention of the address and endowment,
these schools were altogether unsectarian in their constitution.
No practical step appears to have been taken for carrying out

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

that part of the address wliicli had reference to a university
until the year 1827, when Dr. Strachan, Archdeacon of York,
being in England, obtained from Lord Bathurst a Royal Charter
establishing the University of King's College. The University
established by this charter was essentially a Church of England
institution. The Bishop was to be Visitor, the Archdeacon of
York, President, and each member of the College Council — seven
of whom were to be professors — was required to subscribe to the
Thirty-nine Articles. When its contents were made known,
great indignation was excited, which found a vent in addresses
from the popular branch of the Legislature, and in public meetings.
It was urged that the representations, on the faith of which the
charter was granted, were erroneous ; that its provisions were
unsuited to the state of the Province, and inconsistent with the
state of the endowment. The justice of these remonstrances
seems to have been admitted with very little contestation. They
found an echo in the House of Commons. The Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor was instructed by the Secretary of State to endeavor to
obtain from the College Council a surrender of the charter ; and
finally the Local Parliament was invited by the same authority
to amend it in terms which imposed no limits on its discretion.
It was not, however, till 1837 that an Act was passed for this
purpose, in which both branches of the Legislature concurred.
During the whole of this period the charter, so far as the object
of education was concerned, was ]practically in abeyance. A con-
siderable expenditure of funds took place, which was the subject
of much criticism at the time ; but the university was not
opened for instruction till the year 1843, when it was organized
under the provisions of the Act of 1837."

These remarks of His Excellency gives a clue to the dissatisfac-
tion which prevailed. Nor did it end with the Act of 1837, as is
proved by the fact that between the years 1843 and 1850 no less
than four sweeping measures of amendment were introduced into
Parliament, two by Conservative and two by Liberal Administra-
tions, the main cause of dissatisfaction baing the attempt which
was made to keep up a connexion with the Church of England

HISTOBIC/.Ii.

and the University in various ways, chiefly by the establish-
ment of a Divinity Professorship, and of a chapel service.

During the last few years of Sir Peregrine Maitland's
administration, party feeling, however, manifested itself very
strongly among the inhabitants, but this was simply a reflection
of the general feeling throughout the Province. As an instance of
this feeling when Mackenzie sued the rioters for the damage done
to his business and press, the jury awarded him a verdict of six
hundred and twenty-five pounds sterling damages and costs. A
subscription was immediately started to pay the amount awarded
against the rioters, and the greater part of the necessary sum was
raised by this means. The parties escaped all punishment for the
offence, a circumstance which caused much indignation, and ♦
increased the hostile feeling against the Government. The
Legislature which assembled the Decem))er following, in replying
to the Governor's address, directly censured his conduct in
receiving and replying to addresses reflecting on their body. The
Governor retorted by declaring that in this proceedure they had
departed from the courtesy usual on such occasions, and strongly
maintained that he had acted correctly in the premises. Trouble
was evidently brewing. A Commons with sufficient courage to
censure a governor was a new thing in Upper Canada. Apart
from this squabble the session passed smoothly over, the Governor,
nevertheless, losing much of his former popularity, and the
manifestations of party spirit against him becoming more and
more intense. Sir Peregrine became decidedly unpopular with
the Eeform party, who gladly hailed his departure for the gov-
ernment of Nova Scotia, to which he had been appointed, and
welcomed the accession of Sir John Colborne as a boon. The
latter assumed the direction of the Administration in November,
and as he was said to have received instructions to govern agree-
able to a liberal policy, much was expected from him. Sir John
Colborne convened his first Parliament (which had been elected
just prior to his appointment as Lieutenant-Governor), on the
9th of January, 1829. The speech of Sir John was guarded hi
the extreme, and presents few features of any importance. The

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

division on tlie address showed that the House was almost entirely
a Eeform one. Its language was a direct censure on the Execu-
tive, apart from the Governor. ''We, His Majesty's faithful
Commons," it urged, " confiding in the candour of your Excel-
lency, and in your readiness to recognize us as constitutional
advisers of the Crown, do hum])]y pray your Excellency against
the injurious policy of the Provincial Administration; and
although we at present see your Excellency unhappily surrounded
by the same advisers as have so deeply wounded the feelings and
injured the best interests of the country, yet, in the interval of
any change, we entertain an anxious belief that under the auspi-
ces of your Excellency the administration of justice wdll rise
above suspicion, the wishes and interests of the people be properly
respected, and the revenues of the colony be hereafter devoted to
objects of public improvement after making provision for the
public service on a basis of economy, suited to the exigencies of
the country." In reply to this remarkable address the Governor
said, " It is less difficult to discover the traces of political dissen-
sions and local jealousies in this colony than to efface them. I
anticipate that the principles of the constitution being kept
steadily in view, and the good sense of the people, will neutralize
the efforts of any interested faction." Towards the end of July
the elevation of the Attorney-General, John Beverly Piobinson, to
be Chief Justice, created a vacancy in the representation of
York ; and, for the first time, Robert Baldwin, now twenty-
five years of age, appeared prominently before the public as a
candidate for the suffrages of the electors. Destined as he was
to fill a conspicuous position in the annals of his native country
he merits more than a passing notice. He was descended
from an Irish family — the Baldv/ins of Summer Hill, County
of Cork. His father, a medical man, immigrated to this country
in 1798, while the Eebellion still raged, and settled in the town-
ship of Clarke, on Lake Ontario. The family subsequently
removed to Toronto, where Robert, named after his paternal
grandfather, was born in 1834. Here Dr. Baldwin discarded the
jDractice of medicine for that of law. Of respectable abilities,

HISTORICAL.

ancl greai integrity of purpose, be soon came to be regarded witb
mucb respect by tbe public, especially that part of it attached to
popular liberty, and Avas chosen to represent the County of Nor-
folk in the Assembly. He died in 1844, six months after he had
been called to the Legislative Council by his Sovereign ; and the
eloquent pen of Francis Hincks paid a fitting tribute to his
memory. " Our country has lost a friend," he wrote, " and will
follow him as mourners to the grave. By the removal of one so
worthy, so disinterested, so excellent, we have sustained a loss,
the magnitude of which is diiTicult to appreciato, much more, in
this community, to repair." And the son was eminently like the
father. No public man in Canada has ever commanded rjiore
general respect than Eobert Baldwin ; and his opponents, while
combating his opinions, or traversing his policy, bowed to his
integrity and personal worth. Nor did he owe bis great reputa-
tion to his popular manners or the easiness with which he could
move the multitude. Naturally of a mild and affable disposition,
he rather shunned than courted the popular applause, and ever
disdained to bend to those petty arts vdiich inferior men find so
indispensable to success in dealing with the public. To Piobert
Baldwin Canada owes a perpetual debt of gratitude. An able
lawyer, well acquainted with precedent, possessed of wealth which
placed him above all temptation to profit by his position and the
breath of calumny, of sterling honesty and singleness of purpose,
he w^as the man precisely to lead his country saf jly through a
great constitutional crisis into an era of larger and more
matured liberty. Eschewing the license of extreme democracy on
the one hand, and opposed to unconstitutional executive pretension
on the other, he persevered in his efforts for responsible govern-
ment, for a ministry based on a parliamentary majority, until he
met with the most ample success. York did not hesitate to
respond to his appeal, and elected him as its reprcscnt;itive in the
room of John Beverley Bobinson, the leading mind of the Family
Compact, ninety-two votes being recorded for him against fifty-
one given to his opponent, a clever lawyer of the name of Small.
William L. Mackenzie, with all the ardour of his fiery nature,

TOr.ONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

supported Eobert Baldwin, attacked tlie professional character ot
his opponent, and so got himself into a libel suit.

Shortly after the election of Eohert Baldwin we find Egerton
IvversoD issuing the prospectus of the Christian Guardian news-
paper^ a religious Journal devoted to the interests of the Wesleyan
Methodists of Canada, a journal still in existence, and enjoying a
wide measure of popularity and influence, not only among the
members of its own church, but among all the churches of
Canada. This made the fourteenth newspaper published in
Upper Canada. The population of the town about this time
numbered two thousand eight hundred and sixty, and it contained
a little over four hundred and sixty houses, most of which were
small frame erections, without any pretensions to beauty or har-
mony of design, very little paint even being used. Here and there
a brick erection was met with ; but these w^ere mainly the publio
buildings or stores. In this year also steps were taken to afTcr l
better facilities for obtaining a superior education to that hitherto
given in the metropolis of the Western Province, and Upper
Canada College was established by an ordinance of the ProviDcial
Government. The followdng advertisement, from the local press
of the time, will not be uninteresting to those who may desire to
trace the career of the College. In the Loyalist of May 2nd, 1829,
the annexed notice appeared: — Minor College. — Scaled tenders
for erecting a school-house, and four dwelling houses, will bo
received on the first Monday of June next. Plans, elevations,
and specifications may be seen after the 12th inst., on applica-
tion to the lion. George Markland, from whom further informa-
tion will be received. Editors throughout the Province are
requested to insert this notice until the first Monday in June, and
forward their accounts for the same to the office of the Loyalist
in York. York, 1st May, 1829." In the Canada Gazette of
December 17th, 1829, the following advertisement in reference to
the College is found : — " Ui^per Canada College, established at
York. — Visitor, the Lieutenant-Governor for the time being. —
This College will open after approaching Christmas vacation, on
Monday, the 8th of January, 1830, under the conduct of tho

HISTOEICAL.

masters, appointed at Oxford by tlie Yice-Chancellor and other
electors in July last. Principal: Kev. J. H. Harris, D.D., late
Fellow of Clare Hal], Cambridge. Classical Department : Yice-
Principal, the Eev. T. Pbilliss, D. D., of Queen s College, Cam-
bridge; first classical master, the Eev. Charles Matthews, M. A.,
of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge : second classical master, the Lev.
W. Boulton, B. A., of Queen's College, Oxford. Mathematical
Department : the Eev. Charles Dade, M. A., FelloY>^ of Cains
College, Cambridge, and late Mathematical Master g,t Elizabeth
College. French : M. J. P. De la Haye. English : writing and
arithmetic, Mr. G. A. Barbour, and .Mi\ G. Padfield. Drawing
master, Mr. Drury. Signed, G. H. Markland, Secretary to the
Board of Education. York, Upper Canada, December 2nd, 1829.
The classes of the new institution were opened in 1830, in the
York Home District Grammar School building, situate on Nelson
and Adelaide streets, which was then the suburbs of the capital
town, and continued there until 1831, when the present buildings
on King and Simcoe streets were completed. In the years 1832-
1835, the College was endowed with sixty-three thousand two
hundred and sixty-eight acres of lap.d, exclusive of two blocks in
the city, on one of which the College how stands. It aloO received
a grant from the Provincial Excher[uer of two hundred pounds in
1830, five hundred pounds in 1831, and one thousand pounds per
annum for several ve^rs subsequently.

FISTORICAL.

CHAPTER IV.

Political Excitement in York— Mackenzie's Articles in the Colonial Advocate
— First expulsion from the House — The Division — Petitioners at the
Government House — The Governor's reply — Procession through the
Streets — Re-election of Mackenzie — Presentation of Gold Medal —
Great Procession to the House of Assembly — Mr. McNabb's Resolu-
tions— Mackenzie again expelled the House — Re-elected — Disorderly
meeting in Front of the Court House — Mackenzie's House and Print-
ing Office Guarded by the Citizens — Leaves for England — The
Roman Catholics and Mackenzie — Song wishing him God Speed —
Mackenzie at the Colonial Office — Expelled from the House of As-
sembly for the Third Time— Re-elected in December — Again Enters
the House — Excitement of the Members — Fears of a Disturbance.

ONSIDEKABLE political feeling was now manifested
in .York, consequent upon the action of William Lyon
Mackenzie in reference to the House of AssemJjly, his
pungent, fearless speeches in reference to the members of the
Family Compact, and his bitter articles in the Colonial Advocate,
arousing the ire of his opponents, and, consequently, on the 6th of
December, a resolution was moved asserting that Mr. Mackenzie
had published a gross libel upon the House, and further that he
be expelled the House during the present Parliament.

The articles published in the Colonial Advocate, for which Mac-
kenzie's expulsion was moved, were as follows. Under date of
November 24th, 1831, the following appeared : — " State cf the
Colony. — The peox)le of this Province will probably be able to
form a tolerably fair estimate of the manner in which their peti-
tions on public aS'airs are likely to be treated in the Representa-
tive branch of the Legislature, v/hen tlioy learn the manner in
which the fn^st of the series has been disposed of. The petition
of the people of Vaughan, unanimously agreed upon at their
town-meeting, and signed by the chairman, secretary, and uowx
two to three hundred freeholders and other inhabitants, was the
first presented to the House ; and after it hud been road and lain

TOPtONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

two days on the table, Mr. Mackenzie, a representative of the
people from whom it came, moved that it be referred to a com-
mittee of five members, viz. : Mr. Ketchum, the other member
of the County in which the petition was voted, and Messrs. Buell,
Perry, and Shaver, with the mover, as a matter of com^se. Mr.
Thompson, of Frontenac, the editor of the Kingston Herald, who
had previously ex^^ressed great bitterness against the petitioners
and their petition in the public journals, immediately rose and
objected to referring the petition to its friends, and allowing them
to consider of and introduce any measure desired by the petition-
ers, and wdiich they might consider expedient, to the notice of
the Legislature. We told the people of York last July that this
would be the result of any application to the Assembly ; and
therefore the more earnestly requested them to unite in adress-
ing the King's Government, as by this means distinct proposi-
tions could be submitted to a new Assembly, called, as in England,
on the Eeform Bill. We novf urge all those entrusted with the
general petitions to the King and House of Assembly to send
them to York by mail, on the earliest possible day, in order that
the former be forwarded to London, and the latter submitted to
the Assembly, nov\^ in session. We learn that Chief Justice
Eobinson's successor in the law business, Mr. Draper, either has
gone off this week to London, or is now about to set off, to oppose
the general petitions, and advocate the interests of the Executive
faction here, wdth His Majesty's Government. They take the ut-
most pains to conceal their v/eakness in the estimation of the
country, and one of their ablest assistants leaves his own private
business and prospects to v/atch the signs of the times at home.
Mr. Thompson's amendment already spoken of was a resolution that
the petition of the people of Vaughan, vvdth all other petitions relat-
ing to the same subject, be referred to a select committee of seven
.members, chosen at tv/clve o'clock to-morrov/. The Attorney-Gen-
eral characterized the petitions as 'the expressions of a few people,'
*a few individuals,' 'mere casual meetings.' He happened to have
seen some of these meetings; but a few respectable farmers met
together, did not at all understand the subject ; and termed the

HISTORICAL.

committee a ODe-sidcd committee. The petitions he had never
seen till that day — they had been got up by somebody or other.
The Solicitor-General wished the petitions to be referred to a
committee of the whole House, and thus be got rid of at once,
and not referred to the committee named by Mr. Mackenzie, who
would call witnesses where none were wanted, and thus increase
the expenses of the session. He asserted this, although there was
nothing in the motion that gave the committee any power to call
a single witness. Messrs. Burwell, Jarvis, and others, opposed
to the rights of the people, were, of course, in favor of Mr.
Thompson's amendment, the votes in favor of which were as fol-
lows : — Messrs. Shade, Henry J. and George Boulton, Burwell,
Elliott, A. Fraser, E. D. Fraser, Sheriff Jarvis, Lewis, McNabb,
McMartin, Solicitor-General, Macon, Mount, Samson, Thompson,
Warren, and W. Willson. The members opposed to Mr. Thomp-
son's amendment, (introducing a species of vote in which the
constituents of members could not learn how they had acted),
and who would have entrusted the petitions to a committee
of persons favorable to the prayer of the petitioners, were
Messrs. Buell, Campbell, Cook, Buncombe, Howard, Ketchum,
McCall, Mackenzie, Perry, Kobhn, Shaver, and White. The
Executive faction carried their measure by a majority of six."
And also a certain article in the said paper called the Colonial
Advocate, of the date 1st December, 1831, in the following
words: — "Excellent Example of Lower Canada. — The harmony
which subsists between the Governor-in-Chief, the House of
Assembly and the Colonial Secretary, Lord Viscount Goderieh,
must be pleasing and gratifying to every true friend of represen-
tative government, for it is evidently the consequence of a great
and honourable course of procedure in these high parties to-
wards the people of Lower Canada. We are glad to pt rci-ive by
Lord Goderich's despatch, in answer to the Assembly's petition,
sent home last spring by Mr. Viger, that all judges are to be dis-
missed both from the Executive and Legislative Council; that the
revenues from the Jesuits' estates are to be appliinl by llie Pro-
vince to educate the Canadians; that the power of reguhiting

7.1

TORONTO : PAST AND PEESENT.

trade is to be exercised in future with great attention to the
interests of the colony ; that Provincial Bills for giving corporate
powers and making local regulations will be sanctioned ; that the
rights of the colonists to regulate their internal affairs is fully
admitted ; that of!ices of trust and profit are to be more
equally distributed in future ; that officers who have lost the con-
fidence of the country are to be dismissed, if the complaints made
against them are proved; that all the proper influence of Govern-
ment is to be given to the satisfaction of the Colony; and that
any colonial law increasing the responsibility and accountability
of public officers will be sanctioned by England. In the Assem-
bly we see noble and patriotic efforts made to increase the happi-
ness of the people, enlighten their unaerstandings, and watch
diligently over their rights and privileges, and on the part of the
Governor-in-Chief there does really appear to be a willingness to
act with the House of Assembly, and faithfully to assist them in
securing for the country the inestimable advantage of good laws
and free institutions. The contrast between their Executive and
ours, betwixt the material of our Assembly and theirs, and between
the use they make of an invaluable constitution and our abuse of
it, is anything but satisfactory to the friends of freedom and
social order in Upper Canada. Our representative body has
degenerated into a sycophantic office for registering the decrees
of as mean and as mercenary an Executive as ever was given as a
punishment for the sins of any part of North America in the
nineteenth century. We boast of our superior intelligence, of
our love of liberty ; but vvhere are the fruits ? Has not the sub-
servience of our Legislature to a worthless Executive become a
by-word and a reproach throughout the colonies ? Are we not
now, even during the present week, about to give to the munici-
pal officers of the Government, as a bankiug monopoly, a power
over the people, whicli, added to their already overgrown influ-
ence, must render their swa,y nearly as arbitrary and despotic as
the iron rule of the Czar of Muscovy? Last winter the majority
of our Assembly, with our Speaker at their head, felt inclined to
make contemptuous comparisons between the French inhabitanta

HISIORICAL.

of a sister colony a^'^d the enlightened constituents who returned
them, the said majority. In our estimation, and judging of the
tree by its fruits, the Lower Canadians are by far the most deserv-
ing population of the constitution they enjoy : for they show them-
selves aware of its value, while, judging the people here by the
representatives they return, it might be reasonably inferred that
the constituents of the McLeans, Yankoughnets, Jarvises, Eobin-
sons, Burwells, Willsons, Boultons, McNabbs, McMartins, Frasers,
Chisliolms, Crookes, Elliotts, Browns, Joneses, Macons, Sam-
sons, and Hagermans, had immigrated from Grand Tartary,
Kussia or Algiers, the week preceding the last general election ;
for, although in the turgid veins of their members there may be
British blood, there certainly is not the appearance of much
British feeling:" —

These are gross, scandalous and malicious libels, intended and
calculated to bring this House and the Government of this Province
into contempt, and to excite groundless suspicions and distrust
in the minds of the inhabitants of this Province as to the pro-
ceedings and motives of their representatives, and is. therefore a
breach of the privileges of this Hoase ; and W. L. Mackenzie hav-
ing avowed the authorship of the said articles, be now called
upon for his defence. The charge of libel and breach of privilege
having been thus distinctly made, Mr. Mackenzie promptly
accepted the responsibility of the articles, both as publisher and
author ; but he denied the jurisdicLion of the House in prosecu-
tions for libel. They could not, he argued, be a fit tribunal in a
case where they w^ould occupy the impossible position of com-
plainant, judge, and jury. If they complained of libel they
could address the Lieutenant-Governor to order the Crown Officers
to institute legal proceedings upon the charge brought against
him. He was entitled to, and he demanded, a le.cal trial before
a jury of his country. After having made his defence, Mr. Mac-
kenzie retired from the House, leaving the members to act unen-
cumbered by his presence. After a numbor of motions and amend-
ments had been voted upon, the House, by a vote ot twenty-four
to fifteen, decided to expel Mr. Mackenzie, the members voting

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

as follows: — For expelling Mr. Mackenzie — Messrs. Attorney-
General, Berczy, Boulton, Brown, Burwell, Elliot, Fraser A.,
Fraser E., Ingersoll, Jones, Lewis, McMartin, Macon, McNabb,
Morris, Mount, Eobinson, Samson, Shade, Solicitor-General,
Thompson, Vankoughnet, Warren, Warden; twenty-four. Against
the expulsion — Messrs. Beardsley, Bidwell, Buell, Campbell, Clark,
Cook, Buncombe, Howa.rd, Ketchum, Lyons, McCall, Perry,
Eandall, Eoblin, Shaver; fifteen. During the debate Attorney-
General Boulton described Mr. Mackenzie as a "reptile," and
Solicitor-General Hagerman described him as a spaniel dog, and
a man whose censure was equivalent to praise. This action on
the part of the Legislature aroused intense indignation in the
town, and through the western part of the Province. During the
week of the debate, or trial, as it was called, the result had been
foreseen by the preliminary divisions, and numerous petitions
were presented to the Lieutenant-Governor, praying him to dis-
miss a House tainted with the v/orst vices of judicial partiality.
On the day of the expulsion a deputation waited upon the privp.te
secretary of the Governor, and informed him that next day, at two
o'clock, a number of the petitioners would go to the Government
House in a body to receive His Excellency's rejoly. At the
appointed hour over nine hundred persons presented themselves
at the Government House. They were received in the audience
chamber, and, the petition having been presented they Vvere dis-
missed wath the studiously curt reply: "Gentlemen,! have
received the petition of the inhabitants." It is quite evident
from the facts current among the old residents of Toronto, that
the Government of the day feared serious trouble in connexion
with this proceeding. The Government Hous,e, says Mr. Mac-
kenzie, w^as protected with cannon, loaded, served, and ready to
be fired on the people ; the regiment in garrison Wcis supplied
with a double allowance of ball cartridge, and a telegraph
placed upon the vice-royal residence to command the soldiers if
nccessar}^ After the return of the iK-tilioners they proceeded to
the residence of Mr. Mackenzie, on Eichmond street, lar^;-ely re-
inforced. The expelled member was carried through the streets

HISTORICAL.

cf the tow"a, fimidst the applause of the populace, who took this
emphatic way of testifying their approbation of his condact, and
of their determination to uphold the rights of a free press.
Among other places the procession stopped at the Parliament
House and cheered. At the office of the Christian Guardian
newspaper, then edited by the Eev. Dr. Eyerson, who had warmly
espoused the cause of Mr. Mackenzie, cheers were agam giyen.
A meeting was held opposite the Sun Hotel, when Mr. Mackenzie
addressed the people, wdio were most enthusiastic in his defence.
After Mr. Mackenzie left the meeting it was re-organized, a num-
ber of resolutions passed, Pomong which was one asserting the
propriety of petitioning the Sovereign to send to the Province
civil instead of military governors, and pledging the meeting, as
a mark of their approbation of his conduct, to present Mr. Mac-
kenzie with a gold medal, accompanied with an appropriate
inscription and address.

At the same sitting of the House at which the expulsion of Mr.
Mackenzie had been decreed, the House had ordered the issue
of a new writ for the election of a member in his place. The
election was held at the Eed Lion Inn, Yonge street, on the 2nd
of January, 1832. Forty sleighs came into the town from the
adjacent townships to escort Mackenzie to the polling place.
Eeally he was unopposed, for though Mr. Edward Street was
nominated, the re-election of the expelled member was a foregone
conclusion. An hour a,nd a half after the poll oxDened Mr. Street
had received one vote against one hundred and nineteen cast for
Mr. Mackenzie. After the close of the poll came the presentation
of the gold medal. It cost two hundred and fity dollars, and
was accounted to bo a superb piece of workmanchip.'- The
medal and chain weighed over nine ounces. On one side were
the rose, shamrock, and thistle, encircled by the words His
Majesty King "William lY., the people's friend." On the rcvcrca
v/as the inscription, Presented (::,> William L. Mackenzie, Esq.,
by his constituents of the County of York, Uc C, as a token o.
their approbation of his political career; Janaaiy t2nd. 1882.''
After the presentation of the chain and medal, a procession was

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

formed which nnmLcrcd over cne thousand persons and about
fifty sleighs, to accompany the re-elected member. Among the
numerous flags that surmonnted the sleigh carrying Mr. Mac-
hcnzie, one bore the device The Liberty of the Press," another
" Mackenzie and the People." Passing through the streets of
the town the procescion wended their way towards the Gov^rn-
rient House and Parliament buildings, where the deafening
cheers of the crowd announced the reversal of the decision of tho
House of Assembly by the freeholders of the County of York.
1h\ Mackenzie entered and stood at the bar of the House to be
swo:n in, and oi:'. the 8peaher announcing to the house his return,
Mr. Vankoughnot, coconded by Mr. McNabb, m^ovcd That it be |
ro3olvod, that the entries on the journals of the 121h of December |
lac!;, relating to the ccpiilsion of Willir.m Lyon Mackenzie, bo now I
•cad," The r/jofiion vzaj mot by hisses below the bar, which were
only Guppr:)S3od by a urea j to clear the Plouse of strangers. T« .o
crowd of vobors who lul accompanied their re-elccood represen-
tative pn'dhed thor- Y/-y into the House, in spite of attsmpfis
made to pr^voiij their entoring the looby. They forced the outer
door, took ];^G3e33io.n of every available space, aud manifested by
their rrosonce their sympathies . with Mr. Mackenzie. Mr.
Vankoughnet r3ad to the Plouse the two following resclufjons,
which he dcalixyd to contain the object he had in viev/ by mov-
ing the above: Eriolved: — " Mr. Vankoughnet, seconded by Mr.
McNabb, moves that Y/illiam Lyon Mackenzie, Esq., returned a
member to represent the County of York in Provincial Parlia-
ment, having cqg.i expelled this House during this present sesion
for the publication of certain gross, scandalous, and malicioua
libels, intended and calculated to bring this House and the Gov-
ernment of the Province into contempt, and excite gvouri<Ilesa
suspicion and distrust in the minds of the inhabitants of tho Pro-
vince, as to the proceedings and motives of their representatives ;
and having made no reparation or atonement for his said offence,
but on the contrary, in the interval between his said expulsion
and subsequent re-elcction, having, in a certain newspaper called
the Colonial Advocate, of which he, the said William L} on Mao-

rilSTOElCAL.

kenzie, lias avowed himself the proprietor, and responsible for tho
matter therein published, endeavored to justify and maintain the
said gross, scandalous, and malicious libels in high contempt
of this House and its privileges ; he, the said William Lyon Mac-
kenzie, is unfit and unworthy to be a member of this House, and
that his seat therein be therefore declared vacant."

"Mr. Vankoughnet, seconded by Mr. McNabb, moves that it be
resolved, that the Speaker of this House do issue his warrant to
the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery for a new writ for the election
of a member to serve in the present Parliament as representative
of the County of York, in the stead of the said William Lyon
Mackenzie, vv^ho has been declared to be unfit and unworthy to be
a member of this House." In amendment to these resolutions
Mr. Perry moved that the House should proceed to the ordinary
business of the day, and drop all further proceedings in the libel
case. Li favor of dropping the proceedings, and against
Mr. Vankoughnet's resolutions, there voted : Messrs. Attorney-
General, Beardslej^, Bidwell, Bucll, Campbell, Clark, Cook, Dun-
combe, Howard, Ingersoll, Ketchum, Lyons, McCall, McDonald
A., McDonald D., Morris, Norton, Perry, Eandall, Koblin, Sam-
son, Shaver, Willson W., and Warren ; twenty-four. For Mr.
Vankoughnet's resolutions there voted : Messrs. Berczy, G.
Boulton, Brown, Burwell, Crooks, Elliott, Fraser A., Jarvis, Jones,
McMartin, McNabb, Macon, Mount, Eobinson, Shade, Solicitor-
General, Thompson, Chisholm, Yankoughnet, and Werden;
twenty.

Having thus failed to expel Mr. Mackenzie upon the old
charge, Solicitor-General Hagerman, on January 6th, moved a
resolution declaring that certain matter which had appeared in
the Colonial Advocate the previous day, and of which Mr. Mac-
kenzie admitted himself to be the author, to be a false, scandal-
ous, and malicious libel against the House of Assembly and a
high breach of its privileges ; that the author be expelled the
House and be declared imworthy to hold a seat therein. The
grounds of this new charge was based upon the following pass-
sages : — I have charged the present House of Assembly with

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

sycophancy, in my capacity of a public journalist. I here before
you and in the face of the world reiterate that charge, as applied
to a majority of its members. They have passed, at the request
of the Local Executive, and contrary to British constitutional
principle, the everlasting salary bill, refusing at the same time
to limit its operation to the present reign ; refusing to provide
for the independence of the judges on the Executive, while they
secured to them forever the most extravagant incomes ; refusing
also to inquire into the wasteful and dangerous system of apply-
ing the greater part of the revenue, by a power unknown, to the
constitution ; refusing to exclude the judges from seats in the
Legislative and Executive Councils; refusing to exclude bishops,
archdeacons, and gospel preachers from seats in the Executive
Council ; and refusing to curtail the extravagance of the Council
clerk, and the unjust charges of the Crown officers before these
officers had voted themselves and their successors, and the said
clerk and his successor's incomes, out of the taxes for ever. They
have imitated the Legislative Council in squandering your reve-
nues under the head of contingencies ; they double and treble the
incomes of some of their servants, grant the most extraordinary
demands for services, carelessly examine accounts, and openly vote
down, session after session, ordinary motions of inquiry into the
items of expense, which compose the thousands of pounds demanded
in a hurry from time to time, as contingencies, by the Legislative
Council. Adding together the probable incidental charges of the
two Houses from March last until March next we shall have about
nine thousand pounds sterling, and, as the whole expense of their
sittings, twenty-five thousand pounds. The Legislature of Ver-
mont costs annually about half as many dollars, including the
salary of governor, judges, and all other charges, yet the popula-
tion of Vermont exceeds ours. They allowed the St. Lawrence to
remain unimproved, although its being made navigable would have
benefitted everybody ; and neglected further to encourage educa-
tion, although the people cried out for it ; they put a negative in
their first session upon the Bill for distribution of intestate estates,
although Upper Canada had but one voice in its favor ; they

HISTORICAL.

delayed and refused to pass the clergy reserve address, in the
same session, lest (as they said) the petitioners by Mr. Eyerson
should profit by it; and found, nevertheless, fifty thousand pounds
sterling to expend on the Welland Canal, an unprofitable under-
taking, a job permaturely gone into for the advantage of a few
officers of this Government, Legislative Councillors, and speculators
in waste lands. They neglected your numerous petitions, presented
by myself and other friendly members, praying for the passage
of many salutary enactments, or delivered them into the custody
and safe-keeping of placemen, by whom I had been personally
insulted and defamed as a rebel and traitor, and, by this means,
prevented several useful bills being introduced into the House
on your petitions. They passed the obnoxious York Market Bill
in opposition to your petitions, and in defiance of the protest-
ations of your members ; they negatived and condemned the
principle of voting by ballot ; they disapproved, by their votes,
of the excellent principle of regulating by law the sales of all pub-
lic or crown lands, and preferred the present secret or corrupt
.system; they refused to censure the Lieutenant-Governor for
keeping back this election twenty-one days, instead of eight, in
order that it might interfere with your town meetings, and delay
my return ; they refused to inquire into the tea monopoly, by
which you are so heavily taxed ; they refused to remonstrate
against the principle of the Trade Act of last April, so deeply
affecting your interests ; they allow the important statements
respecting extavagant pensions, salaries, fees, and law charges,
to slumber on their shelves, and thereby increase the incomes of
attorneys, bailiffs, sheriffs, and other public functionaries, at the
expense of justice and good government ; they neglect to inquire
into the details of the many thousands of pounds granted for
road and bridge improvements ; they neglect to inquire into the
whole Provincial expenditure, and to provide due checks on the
revenue officers ; they propose to double the power of the politi-
cal bank at this place, and they get rid of motions for inquiring
into the state of its affairs by motions for adjournment. They
appoint committees on the state of the representation of the peo-

TORONTO : PAST AND PRE CENT.

pie in their own House, and refuse to allow said committees to
report. They get rid of bills for the general regulation of bank-
ing, revenue inquiries, bank inquiries, inquiries into salaries,
incomes, fees and perquisites ; bills to amend the representation,
inquiries into fines, forfeitures, seizures, and the application of
the same, and of your opposition to destructive monopolies, by
summarily expelling a member you sent to attend to these
matters. They (the said majority) are chiefly placemen, during
pleasure, such as sheriffs, crown lawyers, postmasters, judges^
registrars, custom house officers, military men, on half pay or
retired allo\Yanecs, collectors of the customs elect, etc., etc., who
receive from the government six, if not ten, times the amount
they obtained from the people as legislators. They arc the
enemies of free discussion through the press, although such free
discussion of the conduct of public men is your best guarantee
for the preservation of the rights of freemen." One hour was
given to Mr. Mackenzie to prepare his defence, during which
time the House adjourned. On its re-assembling the Clerk, at
the request of the accuser, read the whole of the article — part of
which was complained of as a libel upon the House — extending
to more than five newspaper columns. During the course of his
defence, Mr. Mackenzie read extracts from the speeches of Sir
Francis Burdett, Earl Grey, Lord Brougham, Macaulay, and others,
which brought out the remark from the Solicitor-General that "they
were base and diabolical" The question was soon settled, the
House voting in favor of re-expulsion b}^ nine o'clock the second
day of the discussion on a division of twenty-seven againstnineteen.
A new writ was at once issued for the election of a new represen-
tative in the stead of the expelled member. On the 30th of
January, Mr. Mackenzie was for the fourth time proposed as
member by Mr. Shepherd. Two other candidates presented
themselves — Mr. James E. Small and Mr. Simon Washburn. Mr,
Small stated from the hustings that he did not approve of the
conduct of the Assembly in expelling Mr. Mackenzie ; but as they
had declared him disqualified he had come forward presuming
tha'o they would see the expediency of not electing a member who

HISTORICAL.

could not take his seat. He opposed Mr. Waslibiirn, not Mr.
Mackenzie, who, he was satisfied, would have a majority of votes."
Mr. Washburn, on the contrary, expressed his approval of the
proceedings of the Assembly in the expulsion of Mr. Mackenzie,
of whom he spoke in terms of harshness, similar to those used by
the more violent of the House. Mr. Washburn's appeal to the
electors distinctly showed the temper of the people ; on the second
day of the polling he retired, much disgusted at having received
only twenty-three votes, Mr. Mackenzie having received six
hundred and twenty-eight votes, and Mr. Small ninety-six. The
re-election of Mackenzie was hailed with delight by a large com-
mujiity throughout the Province. The Assembly were looked
upon as tyrants. In their desire to crush the obnoxious editor they
elevated him to the position of a martyr ; the natural result
followed. The expelled member had crowds of sjanpathisers in
all parts of the Province. Public meetings were held in all parts
of the Province. Petitions to the King and Imperial Parliament
were numerously signed. The turbulent spirit which so strongly
manifested itself in 1837-8 began to appear at these meetings.
One notable meeting, well remembered by many of the old resi-
dents of the city, was held on the 28rd of March, 1832. A public
meeting was called to discuss the grievances of the people, at the
Court House. Dr. Dunlop, of the Canada Land Company, and
Mr. J. Ketchum, member for York County, were respectively
proposed as chairman. As usual in most cases of political excite-
ment, both parties claimed the victory ; but .Dr. Dunlop took the
chair, when the Eeform section withdrew and organized an open
meeting in front of the Court House, making use of a farmer's
waggon for a platform, Mr. Ketchum being made chairman. Mr.
Mackenzie began to address the meeting, when stones and other
missiles were thrown at the speaker by the opposing party. The
disturbance soon assumed a serious aspect ; one person in the
crowd drew a knife, with which he threatened the speaker. The
waggon on which the chairman and speaker were standing was
dravvm for some distance, amidst threats and imprecations, along
King street; and thrown into a deep and muddy ditch. The

TOPtONTO : TAST AND PRESENT.

S'leriff iolcl Mr. Ketcluim tliat he was unable to preserve the
peace, and begged him to brmg the meeting to a close. Some
one hit upon the expedient of advising the friends of the Gov-
nor " to go up to the Government House and cheor His Excel-
lency. This being done peace was restored, a now cl^airman
appointed, and an address to the King resolved upon. Immedi-
ately afterwards the crowd which had been to cheer the Governor
returned, bearing an effigy of Mackenzie, which they burned, and
then made an attack upon the office of the Colonial Advocate.
They broke the windows, and destroyed some of the type, and
were only prevented doing further mischief by the exertions of a
few individuals, among whom was an apprentice in the printing
office, named Falls,' who j&red a gun loaded with type, overawing
the rioters. Captain Fitzgibbon did everything in his power to
restore peace, and the Lieutenant-Governor gave orders for
seventy-five soldiers to be ready at a moment's notice, if required.
Three or four magistrates remained at the police office all night,
swearing in special constables, and a guard of citizens volun-
teered to protect Mr. Mackenzie's house and printing office. At
midnight a mob surrounded the office, when Captain Fitzgerald
ordered them to disperse, and threatened if they did not obey, to
call out the troops, which were kept under arms all night. This
admonition had^ the desired effect, and the crowd, which was led
by a son of one of the Executive Councillors, moved off without
effecting any further violence. The house had to be guarded for
three weeks, during which time Mr. Mackenzie remained in the
country for safety, and the young man who fired on the rioters
had to leave the city in consequence of his life being threatened.
It is affirmed that in this disturbance the Lorn an Catholics wore
very prominent by their bitter demonstrations against Mackenzie.
On this occasion, contrary to their usual habit, they were found
in alliance with the Family Compact.*"

* Dr. O'Grady, a Roman Catholic Priest, in his evidence before the Grievance
Committee, in 1835, stated that Bishop McDonnell gtit up a petition against Mr.
Mackenzie, attended a public meeting in Mrs. Jordan's Inn, and harangued the
people, and, by the use of the most inexcusable misrepresentations, obtained

HISTOPtTCAL.

In tlie following month Mr. Mackenzie started on his joiirne}'
to England, as the bearer to the Imperial Government of the
petitions which had been so numerously signed throughout the
Province, praying for a redress of the grievances under which the
people laboured, and of his expulsion from the House of
Assembly.*

signatures to the said petition, inducing signers to believe, from altars dedicated
to the service of religion, that the document to which he invited them to affix their
names vvas intended solely for the advancement of the Catholic Church. Siicrtlj^
after he left here (York) for Penetanguishene, accompanied by the Rev. Messrs.
Gordon and Crevier; and Mr. Gordon told me that he stopped on his way to
perform divine service in the Catholic Church of the Township of Toronto and
that he did, on that solemn occasion, instead of preaching the morality of the
gospel, inveigh in the most violent and unbecoming manner against William Lyon
Mackenzie. He went from that place to Adjula, where he parted from the Rev.
Mr. Gordon, having given him previous instructions to obtain signatures in the
best manner he could to a blank paper which he left with him for that purpose.
The Rev. Mr. Gordon told me that he was shocked and scandalized at the manner
in which this political crusade was conducted. — Life and Times of William i.yon
Mackenzie, by Charles Lindsay, p. 2jj,

* The following song, wishing success to the agent, is one of several of the same
kind, published about this time, and may be taken as an example of the spirit of
the people. It was dated Markham, April loth, 1832, and signed " Diogenes ; ' —

Now Willie's awa' from the field o' contention,
Frae the land o' misrule and the friends o' dissension;
He's gane ower the waves, as an agent befittin'
Our claims to support, in the councils o' Britain.

Nae mair shall the soup-kitchen beggarsf annoy him,
Nor the Hamilton murderers attempt fo destroy him ;
Nae dark deed o' hluid shall he dread their committir,';
He's safe frae their fangs on his voyage to Britain,

Blaw saftly, ye beezes ! nae turbulent motion
Disturb wi' rude billow the breast o' the ocean ;
But zephyrs piopitious, wi' breath unreniittin',
May waft him wi' speed and wi' safety to Britain. ,

There, there, the Reformers shall cordially meet liim,
An' there his great namesake, King Willie shall .<';reet him ;
Our Patriot Monarch, whose name shall be written
Wi' letters o' gowd in the records o' Britain.

f This refers to some of the persons engaged in the York riot on the 25id el
March.

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

With Mr. Mackenzie's proceedings in Britain it is no part of
our duty to follow them in detail, tliey having little direct
connection with York ; suffice it to say that he was received by
the Colonial office as an individual having an interest in the
affairs of the Province, and as a member of the Legislature of
Upper Canada. It was agreed that he should address what
complaints he had to make to the Colonial Secretary in writing.
He made the fullest use of this privilege, writing long documents
on a great number of subjects in which Canadians were then
interested. It is said that in the preparation of the papers that
he continued to write for six days and six nights, without ever
going to bed, and only falling asleep occasionally for a few
moments at the desk. In one of these documents he ventured to
predict that unless the system of government in Upper Canada
were ameliorated the result must be civil war. Aj^ainst
gloomy prophecies of this nature," Lord Glenelg replied, every
man conversant with public business must learn to fortify his
own mind ;" adding that he regarded them as the usual resource
of those who wish to extort from the fears of government con-
clusions in favor of which no adequate reasons can be offered."
Mr. Mackenzie often afterwards referred to the prediction ; and
so far from having intended it as a threat, took credit for it as a

Gae, Canada's Patriot, gae, Strang m your mission,
Gae bear to our Sov'reign his subjects' petition ;
Our despots unmask— shaw the deeds they're committin',
Pervertin' the blest institutions o' Britain.

An' dread na' the Tories, they're toss'd frae their station—
Thae tools that degraded and plundered the nation ;
The bigots, the mitred, the titled, are smitten
To earth, and the Whigs are triumphant in Britain.

Tho' here we've a brood o' the reptiles remainin',
Like vampires, the vitals o' Canada drainin' ;
Yet, lax is their tenure, unstable their fittin'.
An' they'll soon be extinct like the vermi.n o' Britain,

Gae, Champion o' Freedom ! fulfil your great mission,
The cause you're engaged in defies opposition ;
An' Liberty's laurels, new glories emitrin'.
Shall garland your brows when returnin' frae Britain.

HISTOEICAL.

warning of tlio incvitablo result of the policy pursued, contending
that, if it had been heeded, all the disasters that followed would
have been averted. While Mr. Mackenzie was in England, the
third session of the eleventh Provincial Parliament of Upper
Canada commenced on the 31sfc of October^ 1833. On the 2nd of
November Mr. McNab moved the following resolution, "That
"William Lyon Mackenzie returned to serve in this Assembly as
Knight Eepresentative for the County of York, is the same
William Lyon Mackenzie mentioned in the said entries, and
twice expelled this House and declared unworthy and unfit to hold
a seat therein during the present Parliament ; that by reason
thereof the said William Lyon Mackenzie cannot sit or vote in
this Plouse as a member thereof." For this resolution there
voted Messrs. Attorney-General Boulton, G. J. Boulton, Burwell,
Chisholm, D. Frazor, Jarvis McNab, Mount, Perry, Samson,
Shade, Solicitor-General Hagerman, Werden, J. Willson, W.
Willson, (16.) Against it voted Messrs. Bidwell, Buell, Howard,
Ketchum, McCall, Morton, Perry, Shaver, (8). The question of
disfranchising the County of York, for its persistence in sending
back a member whom the House bad repeatedly expelled, was
raised ; but the Attorney and Solicitor-Generals, having
received an intimation from the Imperial Government that their
conduct in voting for these repeated expulsions of Mr.- Mackenzie,
upon the grounds brought before the House, did not meet with
approval at the Colonial Office, dared not go to this length, so a
new writ was ordered to be issued for the return of a new member
after this, the third expulsion. In Mr. Mackenzie's absence his
friends brought his claims before the electors, and so strong was
the feeling that no one ventured to come forward and declare
himself the candidate of the official party. Mr. Mackenzie was
therefore unanimously re-elected. It was now contended that
there had been no election. Mr. Bidwell brought the question
before the House by, in substance, moving that Mr. IMackenzie
had been duly elected for the County of York ; that he was under
no legal disability, and was by the law and constitution a member
of the House, and that, upon taking the oath, which the law

TOKONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

made it the duty of the Commissioner to administer, he would
have a right to sit and vote in the House. The motion was
rejected by a vote of eighteen against seven. On a vote of
eighteen against fifteen, the House then repeated its resolution,
that Mr. Mackenzie should not be permitted to take a seat or
vote as a member during the session ; after which a motion,
ordering a writ for a new election was carried by a bare majority
of one, the minority being of opinion that Mr. Mackenzie, having
been duly elected, was qualified to serve, and that, in reality,
there was no vacancy. Mr. Mackenzie having now returned
home, went back to his constituents on the 18th of December,
1833, and was once more re-elected without oi)position. A large
body of the electors made known their 'intention to accompany
him to the House of Assembly, which place they reached soon
after mid-day. The galleries were soon filled ; some Vv^ere
admitted below the bar, and others remained in the lobbies for
want of room inside. The result was waited with great anxiety
by the great body of electors, who were becoming indignant at
being thus disfranchised. Considerable uneasiness existed among
the members of the House. Mr, Perry rose to present a petition
against a repetition of the proceedings by which the County of
York had been deprived of half of its legal representatives.
Several members spoke against receiving it. Mr. McNab, in
opposing its reception, was hissed from the gallery, and an order
at once given by the Speaker to clear it ; and, when this opera-
tion was partially completed, the Sergeant-at-Arms went up to
Mr. Mackenzie, who was waiting below the bar to be sworn in,
and ordered him to leave. He replied that, as had been stated
by Mr. Perry, he had been unanimously elected for the County of
York, and that the writ had been duly returned. The Sergeant-
at-Arms, Mr. McNab (father of the member), then seized him by
the collar and tried to drag him towards the door to put him
out. A brawny Highlander, one of a few friends who were near
Mr. Mackenzie, interposed, either with a blow at the officer of
the Plouse, or held him back. As soon as the door was opened
the crowd who had descended from the gallery to the lobby,

HISTORICAL.

rushed forward; but, before they could get in, the door was
bolted and barricaded with benches, members and officers pressing
towards the door to prevent its being forced. The galleries,
which had only been partially cleared, were the scene of great
confusion. The excitement was extreme and the business of
the House was brought to a stand. Several of the menxbers,
fearing that the excitement of the people might lead to serious
acts of violence, went out and harrangued the people. The
question of sending to prison the stalwart Highlander who had
interfered with the Sergeant-at-Arms was raised, but a bystander
remarked that " he feared it would be no easy matter to find the
jail on such an errand." Next day Mr. Morris, seconded by Mr.
Donald Eraser, moved that Mr. Mackenzie, having libelled the
House on the 14th December, 1831 — more than two years before
— and made no reparation, a previous resolution declaring him
unworthy of a seat therein ought to be adhered to ; to which Mr.
McNab added, by way of amendment, " and therefore the said
William Lyon Mackenzie, again elected and returned to represent
the County of York in this present Parliament, is hereby expelled.'*
The official record is as follows : — Mr. Morris, seconded by
Mr. Donald Frazer, moves that it be Resolved : That this House,
on the 15th of December, 1831j in conseqence of a false and
scandalous libel published against a majority of its members by
William Lyon Mackenzie, Esq., one of the members then repre-
senting the County of York, of which he avov/ed himself the
author and publisher, was induced to expel him, the said
William Lyon Mackenzie, from this House ; that notwithstand-
ing the gross and scandalous nature of the said libel, this House,
in the hope that the said William Lyon Mackenzie would abstain
from a continuance of the offensive conduct for which he had been
expelled, permitted him to take his seat on the 3rd of January fol-
lowing, as a member for the County of York, after being reelected.
That in this hope, so important to the deliberate transaction of
public business, so essential to the respectability of the Legis-
lature and peace of the country, a few days' experience convinced
this House there was so little reason to rely, that on the seventh

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

day of the same month of January, it was, by a large majority,
deemed necessary to expel the said William Lyon Mackenzie for
a repetition and aggravated reiteration of the aforesaid false and
scandalous libe), and in doing so the House, in order to support'
the dignity which ought to belong to a Legislative body, con-
sidered it just and proper to declare the said William Lyon Mac-
kenzie unfit and unworthy to hold a seat in the House during
the continuance of the present Parliament ; that as the said Wil-
liam Lyon Mackenzie has never made reparation to this House
for the gross injuries he has attempted to inflict on its character
and proceedings, there is no reason to depart from the resolution
of the said 7th of January, 1832. Mr. McNab seconded by Mr.
Piobinson, moved in amendment, that the following words be added
to the original resolution, and therefore tiie said William Tjyon
Mackenzie, again elected and returned to represent the County of
York in this present Parliament, is hereby expelled." Several
motions to adjourn the debate were negatived, the House refa&ing
to give Mr. Ketchum an opportunity to reserve his objections till
the following day, althoagh it was then near 11 o'clock at night.
The House then divided, and Mr. Morris' resolution with Mr.
McNab' s amendment, was ado^^ted by the following vote : — Yeas,
Messrs. Berczy, Boulton, Brown, Burwell, Chisholm, Crooks,
Elliott, Eraser A., Eraser E. D., Jarvis, Jones, McNab, McMul-
I'en, Merritt, Morris, Kobinson, Samson, Thompson, Vankough-
net, Werden, Willson J., and Wilson W. ; twenty-two. Nays,
Messrs. Bidweil, Buell, Campbell, Clark, Cook, Buncombe, Eraser
D., Horner, Howard Ketchum, Lyon, McDonald, A. Norton,
Perry, Piandall, Eoblin, Shaver, and White ; eighteen.

Immediately after these proceedings Mr. Mackenzie addressed
a communication to the Lieutenant-Governor, stating what had
occurred, and requesting to be permitted to take oath before His
Excellency, according to a provision of the Constitutional Act, or
that some other prompt and immediate relief might be afforded
to him and his const.'tuents. The question was referred to Attor-
ney-General Jameson, who reported that Mr. Mackenzie was
entitled to take the oath, and that no person commissioned by

EISTCBICAL.

the Governor had a right to refuse, smce his office was ministerial
and not judicial. The Governor therefore directed Mr. Beikie,
the Clerk of the Executive Council, to administer the oath. The
excitement throughout the country hegan to manifest itself in
open threats against the House of Assembly. Petitions breath-
ing defiance began to reach the Lieutenant-Governor. Loyal
as the inhabitants of the country unquestionably are," said a
petition from Whitby, ''your petitioners will not disguise from
your Excellenc}^ that they consider longer endurance under the
present oppressions neither a virtue nor a duty ; for though all
mankind admit the claims of good government to tho respect
and support of the governed, yet very different considerations
are due to that which is regardless of public interests, wars with
public inclinations and feelings, and only aids or connives at
oppression."

The Assembly having issued no writ for Uie election of a
member, on the 11th of Feb ;L.a'7, Mr, Mackenzie, it the rcq::cc^t
of his friends, went before the Clerk of the Ey.ecutivc Comic'' r.nd
took the necessary oath. At three o'clock the same day Mr. Mac-
kenzie walked into the Legislative Chambers and took his seat
among the members, the House being m committee of the whole
at the time. He had not been long there when he received a
visit from Mr. McNab, Sergeant-at-Arms, who informed him
that he was a stranger and must retire. Mr. Mackenzie replied
that he was a member of the House, legally elected and duly
sworn ; and he produced an attested copy of the oath. Before
going to the House he had given notice that he would not leave
his seat unless violence was used, a,nd he now told the Sergeant-
at-Arms that if he interf^^red it would be at his peril. Mr. Mac-
kenzie was three times forcibly taken from his seat ; and when
he appealed to the Speaker for protection, that functionary
replied that it was not possible for the Sergeant-at-Arms to have
mistaken his duty. While these proceedings were going on there
was a dense crowd in the gallery who were deeply interested but
passive spectators. Finally Mr. Mackenzie left the House. A
few days afterwards Mr. Buncombe moved a resolution — which

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

was lost on a division — which was intended to bring about a new
election for the County of York. A motion by Mr. McNab for
issuing a new writ for the election of a member for York in the
place of Mr. Mackenzie expelled. One result of these various
proceedings against Mr. Mackenzie was to deprive the County of
York of one of its two members during the term of nearly a whole
Parliament.

HISTOTITCAL.

CHAPTER V.

Incorporation of Toronto — Etymology of Toronto — Humber Ba}'' — Landing
Place of Indians and Traders — Signification of the Name Toronto —
Robert Gourly's Prediction in 1818 — First Election of City Aldermen
and Common Councilmen — Party Contest — William Lyon Mackenzie
Elected Mayor — Condition of the City — City Finances — Value of Pro-
perty— Loan from the Farmers' Bank — Early Taxation — Public
Dissatisfaction — Stormy Meeting — Accident at the Meeting — Break-
ing down the Balcon}'' — The Cholera — Stocks for Punishment of
Drunkards and Vagrants — King Street in 1834 — Business Houses on
King Street in 1834 — The old Masonic Hall — First Theatre and its
Appliances — Changes in the Appearance of King Street — Front and
Yonge Streets in 1834 — Eesidences of Francis Hincks and Robert
Baldwin — The Tannery — Jesse Ketchum — His Liberality — Albert
Street.

N the sixth of March, 1834, the town of York had its
limits extended, and was erected into an incorporated
city under the name of Toronto. Toronto is an
Indian name, but that the Indians gave that name to the
place now called Toronto is more than doubtful ; the evi-
dence is generally against such a supposition. Upon the
early French maps the present site of Toronto was designated
Teiaigon or Teiaiagon. In a Carte-du-Canada, ou de la Nou-
velle France, by Delisle, of the French Academy of Sciences,
and first geographer to the King, published at Paris in
1803, it is called Teiaiagon. In the Carte Generale-du-Canada
of Baron Labinton in his Nouveau Voyage dans VAmerique Sep-
tentrionale, written at different times from 1683 to 1692, and
published at the Hague, Penetauguishene Bay, (mouth of the
Severn), is set down as Bale de Toronto. Though beyond doubt
an Indian name,, the aborigines did not use the term Toronto as
a proper name. Dr. Scadding, in his " Toronto of Old," says,
the aborigines used, for the most part, no proper names of
places, in our sense of the word ; their local appoUations being
simply brief descriptions or allusions to incidents. But we are

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

to suppose Unit tiie early white men took notice of the vocable
Toronto, frequently and emphatically uttered by their red com-
panions when pointing towards the Lake Simcoe region, or when
passing on in canoe or on foot to reach it. Accordingly at length
the vocable Toronto is caught up by the white voyageurs, and
adopted as a local proper name in the European sense, just as
had been the case with the word Canada, Kanata " was a
word frequently heard on the lips of the red men in the lower St.
Lawrence as they pointed to the shore. They simply meant to indi-
cate ''yonder are our wigwams ; " but the French mariners and
others took the expression to be a geographical name for the new
country they were penetrating. And such it has become). We
can now also see how it came to pass that the term Toronto w^as
attached to a particular spot on the shore of Lake Ontario. The
mouth of the Humber, or rather a point on the eastern side of
the indention known as the Humber Bay, was the landing-place
of hunting parties, trading parties, and w^ar parties, on their way
to the populous region in the vicinity of Lake Simcoe. Here
y/they disembarked for their tramp to Toronto. This w^as a
Toronto landing-plac^ for wayfarers, bound to the district in the
interior w^here there w^ere crowds. And gradually the starting
place took the name of the goal. Thus likewise it happened that
the stockaded trading post, established near the landing on the
indention of Humber Bay, came to be popularly known as Fort
Toronto, although its actual official name was Fort Eouille. In
regard to the signification, which by some writers has been
assigned to the Avord Toronto, of trees rising out of the water,"
we think the interpretation has arisen from a misunderstanding
of language used by Indian canoe-men. Indian canoe-men, in
coasting along the shore of Lake Ontario from east to west,
would, we may conceive, naturally point to the trees rising out of
the water, the pines and black poplars looming up from the
Toronto Island, or peninsula, as a familiar landmark by wiiich
they knew the spot where they were to disembark for the popu-
lous region to the north. The w^iite men, mixing together in
their heads the description of the landmarks and the district

HISTORICAL.

where, as they were emphatically told, there were crowds, made
out the expression ''trees rising out of the water" and ''Toronto,"
covertihle terms, which they were not. In reference to the change
of name from York to Toronto, it is a remarkable fact that Eobert
Gourlay, in the heat of his controversy against the Provincial
Executive in 1818, threatened the town with extinction, as the
result of their policy; at all events with the wiping out of its
name, and the transmutation therefore into that of Toronto. In
a letter to the Niagara Spectator he says : — " The tumult excited
stiffens every nerve and redoubles the proofs of necessity for
action. If the higher classes are against me I shall recruit
among my brother farmers, seven in eight of whom will support
the cause of truth. If one year does not make Little York sur-
render to us, then we'll batter it for two ; and should it still hold
out we have ammunition for a much longer siege. We shall
raise the wind against it from Amherstburgh to Quebec — from
Edinburgh, Dublin, and London. It must be levelled to the
very earth, and even its name forgotten in Toronto."

On the 15th of March a proclamation was issued calling upon
the citizens of Toronto to elect a number of aldermen and common
councilmen on the 27th of that month. The recent exciting events
in connexion with Mr. Mackenzie's expulsions from the House of
Assembly, and his repeated re-elections had raised a strong poli-
tical feeling in the city, and consequently the first election of the
citizens' representatives resulted in a political party fight. The
Eeformers had opposed the Act of Incorporation on the ground
of expense and because the assesment law was deemed objection-
able. The Conservatives or Family Compact party supported
the proposal on the ground of economy also ; they maintaining
that the increased area of taxation would add materially to the
civic revenue, that the work of municipal government would be
more efficiently and more economically done, and thus tend to a
reduction of taxes. The Eeform party were successful in carry-
ing a majority of members to the Council, and they selected Mr.
Mackenzie for mayor, (who was elected for the Second Ward, his

opponent being Dr. Widmer), the first mayor not only of the City

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

of Toronto, but also the first mayor in the Province of Ontario.
This event was looked upon as possessing some political signifi-
cance, for Toronto was the seat of Government, and the head-
quarters of f ie Family Compact, sind, as the sequel proved, it
was prophetic of the result of the next Parliamentary election in
the city.

The whole frame-work of municipal government had to he con-
structed and set in motion. There was not a single sidewalk in
the city ; and those of planks were constructed by the first
council. The city finances were in a wretched condition. The
value of all the property in the city was under five hundred
thousand dollars, and there was a debt of forty-five thousand
dollars, contracted on account of the Market Buildings. In
anticipation of the taxes it was necessary to borrow five thousand
dollars. The Bank of Upper Canada refused to advance the
money, though this m.ight perhaps be accounted for by the fact
that the Bank President, Dr. Widmer, was defeated by the
maj'Or in the election of councillors. Application was next made
to the manager of the Farmers' Bank, and on the personal secu-
rity of the mayor and other members of the council being given,
the money was loaned. To meet the demands on the city
treasury it was necessary to levy a rate of three pence on the
pomid sterling. This was regarded as a monstrous piece of fiscal
oppression, almost sufficient . to justify a small rebelhon. To
such an extent was the public dissatisfaction carried, at what
was considered the exorbitant taxes, that the mayor found it
necessar}' to call a public meeting to make an explanation.*

The meeting called by the mayor took place on the 29th of
July. After Mr. Mackenzie had explained at some length the

*At the meeting the ma3'or proceeded to explain the system of assessments; the
nature of the loan made for roads ; the one thousand pounds assessed from the
citizens to be expended by the District Magistrates ; the legacy of four hundred
pounds of city debt left by the justices, and of the nine thousand . fou? hundred
pounds more for the Market Building ; the " dreadful and unbearable " condition
of the streets ; the complaints of the persons in jail ; the presentment of the Grand
Jury, and the absolute refusal of the justices to co-operate with the City Council
for a remedy ; the expenses likely to be incurred in case the cholera was to spread,
and the license moneys withheld by the Government.'

HISTORICAL.

iiGcessity for the three penny tax, Mr. Sheriff Jarvis interrupted
hy saying it was his intention to move a censure on the conduct
of the ma3^or. There were some two thousand persons present,
and as the majority were the friends of the mayor, he met this
menace hy a resolution pledging the citizens not to support at
the next Parliamentary election a candidate whose position as an
office-holder made him dependent upon the Government. The
meeting became very noisy and uproarious, and was in conse-
quence adjourned till the next day. The meeting had commen,2ed
at six o'clock in the evening, and on the morning of the second
day the oj)ponents of the mayor issued placards calling the
adjourned meeting for three o'clock in the afternoon — an hour at
which it would be very inconvenient for the mechanics and busi-
ness men to attend. The mayor regarded this as a breach of
faith, forbade the city bellman to cry the meeting for that hour,
and resolved not to attend it himself. The market, in which the
meeting was held, was a parallelogram, and over the butchers'
stalls was a balcony to accommodate spectators. While the
Sheriff was addressing the meeting he said : ''I care -no more for
'Mr. Mackenzie than — " here he looked up and saw a crow flying
over — " that crow," he added. This was deemed a great oratori-
cal stroke, and it elicited a cheer. The crowd above, in stamp-
ing with their feet, broke down the balcoii}^, and in the descent
some were impaled on the butchers' hooks, and others were
wounded by the falling debris or by the crush of persons upon
them. Seven or eight died from the injuries they received, and
others were crippled for life, and about forty received wounds more
or less severe. Dr. Scadding states the killed and wounded to
be as follows : — " Son of Colonel Fitzgibbon, injured severely ;
Mr. Hutton, killed ; Colonel Fitzgibbon, injured severely ; Mr.
Mountjoy, thigh broken; Mr. Cochrane, injured severely; Mr.
Charles Daly, thigh broken; Mr. George Gurnet, wounded on the
head; Mr. Keating, injured internally; Mr. Fenton, injured;
Master Gooderham, thigh broken ; Dr. Lithgow, contused
severely; Mr. Morrison contused severely; Mr. Alderman Deni-
son, cut on the head ; Mr. Thornhill, thigh broken ; Mr. Street,

TOnONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

arm broken ; Mr. Dease, thigh broken ; another Mr. Dease, leg
and arm broken ; Mr. Sheppard, injured internally ; Messrs.
Cheve, Mingle, Preston, Armstrong, Leslie, (of the Garrison),
Duggan, T-iomas Kidout, Brock, Turner, Hood, and Master Bill-
ings, severely wounded." Shortly after this accident the cholera
broke out with terrible virulence, devastating the new city, and
causing a panic among the inhabitants seldom equalled in the
annals of any place. This scourge, which for some time before
had been sweeping with its deadly plague breath over Europe,
was brought to Quebec in an emigrant ship, and then rapidly
spread itself over the Province, carrying death and dismay into
all the frontier towns and hamlets of the country. During the
height of the panic many victims, stricken with this terrible dis-
ease, were left without medical or any other assistance, and fre-
quently cholera patients had to trust to the merciful attentions
of strangers, or the few paid nurses, before they could be removed
to the hospital. Every twentieth inhabitant was swept away by
this visitation. A few heroic men and women banded themselves
together for the purpose of visiting the homes of the stricken and
securing to thfem such assistance as was necessary. Frequently
some of this noble band, among whom was the mayor, might be
seen placing the victims in the cholera carts, and, with whatever
assistance they could get from the families of the plague-stricken,
drive them to the hospital

With the incorporation of the city some of the old barbarous
customs were abolished. The stocks which had stood in front of
the Court House were removed, no doubt hastened by the action
of the mayor, Mr. Mackenzie, who caused considerable ill-feeling
by causing a drunken woman to be placed therein, after they had
practically been unused for some time. A woman of notorious
character was brought before the mayor, charged with drunken-
ness, and he, during the hearing of the case, made some remarks
not very complimentary, when she, stooping down in the dock,
took off one of her wet and muddy shoes, and flung it at him as
he sat upon the bench ; for this, and her abusive language to him,
he ordered her to be placed in the stocks. These stocks were not

HISTORICAL.

after the common English model, for confining the feet alone,
but confined the feet, head and arms of the offender, and are well
remembered by many of the citizens of to-day. Mr. J. H. Rogers,
the farrier, of King Street East, relates many boyish incidents in
connexion with the now extinct mode of punishment. One
celebrity who was a well known drunkard, and who, after indulging
in his cups, appeared to have a particular animosity against all
boys, on one occasion found himself confined in the cumbrous
frame. The news soon spread over the place ; the boys, jubilant
at having the opportunity of paying off old scores, congregated
around him, jeered, laughed at, and derided him, and finally
23ainted his face. We are informed that being unable to use his
arms and feet, he used his tongue all the more freely in reply to
the jeers levelled at him by the youngsters, and when the crown-
ing indignity of paint was put upon him he retaliated by gripping
with his mouth the painter's hand and giving him painful proof
that sharp teeth are worse than strong blows. _ King street at this
time, though the principal street of the city, presented a widely
different appearance than it now presents. According to a
directory for 1834, published by G. Walton, it contained two hun-
dred and eighty-seven buildings, (at the present date it contains
eight hundred and forty-eight structures), public and private,
many of them old and dilapidated, some few, utterly unfit for
human habitations. The street was described as ''the main
street through the centre of the town, one mile and a half in
length, commencing at the east end, runs west to Peter street, and
then terminates." A few names of the business and professional
men, whose names appeared in the pages of the directory of 1834,
still have a place amongst us. Among the names then engaged
in business are to be found those of Clarke Gamble, attorney, &c.,
office 47 King street east ; George Duggan, General Store, 61
King street, corner of the Home District ; W. Arthurs, groceries,
dry goods, and provision store ; J. K. Kogers, hatter and fur-
rier, now succeeded by his son J. H. Rogers ; James Beatty,
British woolen and cotton warehouse ; Ridout Brothers & Co.,
ironmongers, whose building, erected upon its present site in 1833,

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

was considered to be one of the handsomest stores m the place,
and by many was looked upon as a very foolish venture on the
part of the two young brothers as being too expensive a building
and too far beyond the probable growth of the city, or at least of
the business portion ; but now it stands in the very heart of the
citj', and is regarded as an evidence of that judgment the use of
which has secured theni ample competence and the esteem and
regard of their fellow-citizens.

From King street east might be seen the cupola of the Masonic
Hall, then situate on Market or Colbome street, as it is now
called. The Masonic Hall was* a two storey wooden building,
surmounted by a cupola, and was the first building erected that
enjoyed such a distinction. Dr. Scadding states that "a staircase
on the outside led' to the upper storey of the Masonic Hall. In
this place was held the first meetings of the Mechanics' Institute,
organized under the auspices of Moses Fish, a builder of York,
and other lovers of knowledge in the olden time. Here were
attempted the first popular lectures. Here we remember hear-
ing— certainly some forty years ago — Mr. John Fenton read a
paper on the manufacture of steel, using diagrams in illustration ;
one of which showed the magnified edge of a well-set razor, the
serations all sloping in one direction, by 'which it might be seen,'
the lecturer remarked, 'that unless a man, in shaving, imparted
to the instrument in his hand a carefully studied movement, he
was likely 'to get into a scrape.' ' The lower part of the Hall
was for a time used as a school. At the corner of Market Lane,
on the north side towards the market, was Frank's Hotel, an
ordinary white frame building ; and the first theatre of York
was extemporized in the ball-room of this house. When fitted
up for dramatic purposes that apartment was approached by a
stairway from the outside. Here companies performed under
the management at one time of Mr. Archbold ; at another of Mr.
Talbot ; at another of Mr. Vaughan. The last named manager,
while personally at York, lost a son by drowning in the Bay.
We well remember the poignant distress of the father at the
grave, and that his head was bound round on the occasion with

HISTORICAL.

a wliite bandage or napkin. Mrs. Talbot was a great favourite.
She performed the part of Cora in " Pizarro," and that of Little
Pickle in a comedy of that name. Pizarro," Barbarossa ; or
the Siege of Algiers," Ali Baba ; or the Forty Thieves," The
Lady of the Lake," The Miller and his Men," were among the
pieces represented. The body guard of the Dey of Algiers, we
remember, consisted of two men, who always came in with mili-
tary precision just after the hero, and placed themselves in a
formal manner, at fixed distances, behind him, like two sentries,
All this appeared very effective. The dramatic appliances and
accessories at Frank's were of the hmnblest kind. The dimen-
sions of the s^age must have been very limited ; the ceiling of the
whole room, we know, was very low. As for the orchestra in
those days, the principal instrumental artist was Mr. Maxwell,
who, well remembered for his quiet manner, for the shade over
one eye, in which was some defect, and for his homely skill on
the violin, was generally to be seen and heard, often alone, but
sometimes with an assistant or two, here, as at all other enter-
tainments of importance, public or private. Nevertheless, at that
period, to an unsophisticated yet active imagination, innocent of
acquaintance with more respectable arrangements, everything
seemed charming. Each scene as the bell rang and the baize
drew up, was invested with a magical glamour, similar in kind,
if not equal in degree, to that which, in the days of our grand-
fathers, ere yet the passion for real knowledge had been awakened,
fascinated the young Londoner at Drury Lane. And how curi-
ously were the illusions of the mimic splendours sometimes in a
moment broken, as to admonish the inexperienced spectators of
real life. In the performance of "Pizarro," it will be remembered,
that an attempt is made to bribe a Spanish soldier at his post.
He regrets, and flings to the ground what is called a wedge of
massive gold; it instantly betrayed itself by this, as well as by
its nimble rebound, to be, of course, a bit of gilded wood."

Though the changes that have taken place in King street since
Toronto became an incorporated city have been very many, leav-
ing little to remind one of its then condition, Yonge street has

TOEONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

"ui. u i-gone still greater change. On first attaining to the dignity
of a city, one hundred and four buildings was all that Yonge
street could boast of, and though it now numbers over six
hundred structures, very little remains to remind us of Yonge
street as it appeared in 1834. Where the warehouses running
along Front street from Yonge street now stand, the obsen^er
forty years ago would only have seen the orchard and pleasure
grounds of Chief-Justice Scott, with^ hi# residence in the midst,
and nearly opposite, on the west side, the house and grounds of
Chief-Justice Sir James Macaulay. BetAveen these dwellings and
King street, on the east side, there stood the smithy of Mr.
Philip Klinger, a German, whose name was as familiar as a
household word among the farmers around Toronto ; this smithy
was the only attraction and place of resort on Yonge street, south
of King street. He was afterwards succeeded by Daniel Sullivan,
a bright spirit from the Emerald Isle. On the street proceeding
north we find the familiar name of Hincks, Francis (late Finance
Minister) then described as occupant of a wholesale warehouse ,
Dr. W. Warren Baldwin, Eobert Baldwi]|^attomey, &c. Name^.
such as these will live in the annals of Caifflda as long as Cana-
dian history is written. At the corner of Newgate street, or
Adelaide street, as it is now called, on the left side, stood the
famous tannery-yard of Mr. Jesse Ketchum, with high stacks ol
hemlock bark piled up on the. Yonge street side. On the north
side of Newgate street, and fronting on Yonge street, stood his
residence, a large w^hite building in the American style, with a
square turret, bearing a railing, rising out of the ridge of the
roof. Before pavements of any kind were introduced, Mr.
Ketchum rendered the sidewalks hereabout clean and comfor-
table by a thick coating of tan-bark. As probably no man of his
enterprise and public spirit did so much to promote the temporal
and spiritual progress of Toronto in its infancy as did Jesse
Ketchum, the following brief sketch, from Dr. Scadding's
''Toronto of Old," will not be uninteresting or out of place : —
*'Mr. Ketchum emigrated hither from Buffalo at an early period.
In the Gazette of June 11th, 1803, we have the death of his

100

HISTORICAL.

father mentioned : — ' On Wednesday last (8th June) departed
this life, Mr. Joseph Ketchum, aged eighty-five years. His
remains,' it is added, 'were interred the following day.' In 1806
we find Mr. Jesse Ketchum named, at the ' annual town meet-
ing,' one of the overseers of highways and fence-viewers. His
section was from No. 1 to half the big creek bridge (Hogg's
Hollow), on Yonge street. Mr. William Marsh then took up the
oversight from half the big creek bridge to No. 17. In the first
place Mr. Ketchum came over to look after the affairs of an elder
brother, deceased, who had settled here and founded the tannery
works. He then continued to be a householder of York until
1845, when he returned to Buffalo, his original home, where he
still retained valuable possessions. He was familiarly known in
Buffalo in later years as Father Ketchum," and was distin-
guished for the lively interest he took in schools for the young,
and the largeness of his contributions to such institutions.
Mr. Ketchum's York property extended to Lot, now Queen
street, and passed through it ; and he himself projected and

^opened Temperance street. To the facility with which he sup-
plied building sites for moral and religious use, it it is due that,
at this day, the quadrilateral between Queen street and Adelaide
street, Y'onge street and Bay street, is a sort of miniature Mount
Athos, a district curiously crowded with places of worship. He
gave in Y'orkville also sites for a school-house and Temperance
Hall, and besides, two acres for a children's park. The Bible
and Tract Society likewise obtained its house on Yonge street on

-X^easy terms from Mr. Ketchum, on the condition that the Society
should annually distribute in the public schools the amount of
^ ground rent, in the form of books — a condition that continues to
be punctually fulfilled. The ground rent of an adjoining tene-
ment was also secured to the Society by Mr. Ketchum, to be dis-
tributed in Sunday-schools in a similar way. Thus, by his gen-
erous gifts and arrangements in Buffalo and in our own cit}' and
neighborhood, his name has become permenantly em oiled in the
list of public benefactors in two cities. Among the subscriptions
to a " common Hchool," in York, in 1820, a novelty at the period,

lOI

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

we observe his name down for one hundred dollars ; subscriptions
for that amount, to any object, were not frequent in York in 1820.
Mr. Ketchum died in Buffalo in 1867. He was a man of quiet,
shrewd, homely appearance and manners, and of the average
stature. His brother Seneca was tJso a character well known in
these parts for his natural benevolence, and likewise for his desire
to offer counsel to the young on every occasion. We have a dis-
tinct recollection of being, along with several young friends, the
object of a well-intended dietetic lecture from Seneca Ketchum,
who, as we were amusing ourselves oh the ice, approached us on
horseback. Passing by Mr. Ketchum's property, the next object
that struck the eye was a square white edifice on the west side,
known as Elliott's Sun Tavern ; here for many years the county
meetings and county elections were held. Adjoining the tavern
was a large piece of open ground generally occupied by the
travelling menageries and circuses, when such exhibitions visited
the town. On the cast side almost directly opposite to the
Sun Tavern stood Good's foundry, well known from su^Dpyling the
county for a number of years with ploughs, stoves and other
articles of heavy hardware. Albert street, now the most densely
built portion off Yonge street, was, in 1834, known as Macaulay
Lane, and described by Walton as fronting the fields. From this
point a long stretch of fine forest-land extended to Yorkville ;
the fields which Macaulay Lane fronted were the improvements
around Dr. Macaulay's abode. The white entrance gate to his
house was near where now a street leads into Trinity Square.
Dr. Macaulay's clearing on the north side of Macaulay Lane was,
in relation to the first town plot of York, long considered a locality
particularly remote, a spot to be discovered by strangers not
without difficulty. In attempting to reach it we have distinct
accounts of persons bewildered and lost for long hours in the inter-
vening marshes and woods. Mr. Justice Boulton, travelling from
Prescott in his own vehicle and bound for Dr. Macaulay's domi-
cile, was dissuaded, on reaching Mr. Small's house at the eastern
extremity of York, from attempting to push on to his destination,
although it was by no means late, on account of the inconveniences

I02

HISTOBICAL.

and perils to be encouritered, and half the following day was taken
up in accomplishing the residue of the journey. A quarter of a
century sufficed to transform Dr. Macaulay's garden and grounds
into a well peopled city district. The " fields " of which Walton
spoke have undergone the change which St. George's Fields and
other similar spaces have undergone in London,

St, George's Fields are fields no more,

The trowel supersedes the plough ;
Fluge inundated swamps of 3'-ore

Are changed to civic villas now.
The builder's plank, the mason's hod,
Wide and more wide extending still,

Usurp the violated sod.

The continuation of this great northern highway in a contin-
uous and right line from the Bay, was the circumstance that
eventually created for Yonge street, regarded as a street in the
usual sense, the peculiar renown which it popularly has for ex-
traordinary length. A story is told of a tourist nev/ly arrived at
Toronto, wishing to utilize a stroll before breakfast by making
out as he w^ent along the whereabouts of a gentlem.an to whom
lie had a letter. Passing down the hall of his hotel, he asks in a
casual way of the book-keeper, " Can you tell me where Mj.
So-and-so lives ? (leisurely producing the note from his breast-
pocket wallet), it is somewhere along Yonge street here in your
town." Oh, yes !" was the rephz, when the address had been
glanced at. " Mr. So-and-so lives on Yonge street, about
twenty-five miles up." We have also heard of a serious demu::-
on the part of a Quebec naval and military inspector at two
agents for purchases being stationed on one street at York.
However surprised he was nevertheless satisfied when he learned
that their posts were thirty miles apart.

HISTORICA.L.

CHAPTER VI.

Rumours of Approaching Insurrection — Misplaced Confidence of the
Lieutenant-Governor- — General Feeling of Alarm — Mackenzie's
Manifesto of Independence — Proposed Plan of Operations — Trea-
sonable Gatherings — Alteration of Date of Attack on Toronto —
xA.ssernbling of Rebels at Montgomery's Tavern — First Prisoners —
Escape — Volunteers for Defence of Toronto — Lieutenant-Colonel
Moodie's Attempt to Warn the Government of their Danger — His
Death at Montgomery's Tavern — Alarm of the Officials in Toronto
— A Flag of Truce sent to the Insurgents — Sir Allan McNab
Arrives at Toronto with Reinforcements — Van Egmond Assumes
Command of the Rebel Forces — Sir A. McNab's Attack, on the
Rebel Forces — Flight of Mackenzie and the Rebel Leaders —
Intense Loyalty of the People — Burning of Montgomery's Hotel —
Description of the Militia — Lieutenant-Governor's Proclamation —
Reward for Mackenzie's Apprehension — Treatment of Prisoners — -
Execution of Lount and Matthews — The Feeling of the Imperial
Government respecting the Prisoners.

HE rumours of approaching insurrection in the neigh-
bourhood caused a very general feehng of alarm
in Toronto, and the Governor was solicited to nip
it in the bud by the arrest of Mackenzie, the prime mover
in the matter. Mackenzie as yet, however, had committed
no open act of treason, and consequently it was not deemed
prudent to cause his arrest. Sir Francis, still persisting
in supposing that no insurrection would break out, took, there-
fore, no active measure for its suppression nor to acquire any
correct knowledge of the treasonable measures in progress. His
conduct in this respect lacked the appearance of even ordinary
common sense, and showed how unfit he was for the post he filled.
It was not, most decidedly, owing to his prudence or good manage-
ment that the rebellion was suppressed. Had he bestirred himself
he could scarcely have failed to get proof positive of Mackenzie's
treasonable intentions : and had Mackenzie been arrested there
is every reason to suppose no insurrection would have taken place,

105

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

and the Province would thus have been spared much bloodshed,
trouble and expense. At length finding himself embarrassed
by the representations of many persons, and of the general feeling
of alarm which he seems now to have shared in himse.'f, the
Lieutenant-Governor directed the coloneJs of militia to hold
themselves in readiness for any emergency. He was still, how-
ever, in utter ignorance of the insurrection already organized, and
of the hostile preparations making in various parts of the Home
District. The calling out of the militia quickenr^d Mackenzie's
movements. Boldly pulling off the mask he issued in hand-
bill form the following document, calling upon his followers to
strike for freedom ;

" INDEPENDENCE !

There have been nineteen strikes for independence from Euro-
pean tyranny on the Continent of America. They were all suc-
cessful. The Tories, therefore, by helping us will help themselves.

* The Nations are fallen, and thou art still young,

The sun is but rising when others have set ;
And though slavery's eloud o'er thy morning hath hung,

The full tide of Freedom shall beam round thee yet.'

** Brave Canadians ! — God has put it into the bold and honest
hearts of our brethren in Lower Canada to revolt —not against
^ * lawful,' but against 'unlawful authority.' The law says we
shall not be taxed without our consent by the voices of the men
of our choice ; but a wicked and tyrannical Government has
trampled upon that law, robbed the exchequer, divided the plun-
der, and declared that, regardless of justice, they will continue
to roll in their splendid carriages and riot in their palaces at our
expense ; that we are poor, spiritless, ignorant peasants, who were
born to toil for our betters. But the peasants are beginning to
open their eyes and to feel their strength ; too long have they
been hooclwinked by Baal's priests — by hired and tampered with
preachers, wolves in sheep's clothing, who take the wages of sin,
and do the work of iniquity, ' each one looking to his gain in
this quarter.'

io6

niSTORICAL.

" Canadians ! — Do you love freedom ? I know you do. Do jou
hate oppression ? Who dare deny it ? Do you wish perpetual
peace and a government founded upon the eternal, heaven-born
principles of the Lord Jesus Christ, a government bound to en-
force the law of do to each other as you wish to be done by ?
Then buckle on your armour and put down the villains who op-
press and enslave our country, put them down in the name of
that God who goes forth with the armies of His people, and whose
Bible shows that it is by the same human means whereby you
put to death thieves and murderers, and imprison and banish
wicked individuals, that you must put down, in the strength of the
Almighty, those governments which, like bad individuals, trample
on the law and destroy its usefulness. You give a bounty for
wolves' scalps. Why? Because wolves harass you. The bounty
you must pay for freedom (blessed word), is to give the strength
-oi your arms to put dovfn tyranny at Toronto. One short hour
will deliver our country from the oppressor, and freedom in reli-
gion^ peace and tranquility, equal laws, and an improved coun-
try, vfill be the prize. We contend that in all laws, -made or to
be made, every person shall be bound alike ; neither should any
tenure, estate, charter, degree, birth, or place, confer any exemp-
tion from the ordinary course of legal proceedings and responsi-
bilities whereunto others are subjected.

" Canadians ! — God has shown that He is with our brethren, for
he has given them the encouragement of success. Captains,
Colonels, Volunteers, Artillerymen, Privates — the base, the vile
hirelings of our unlawful oppressors — have already bit the dust
in hundreds in Lower Canada ; and although the Eoman Catho-
lic and Episcopal Bishops and Archdeacons are bribed by large
sums of money to instruct their flocks that they should be obe-
dient to a government which defies the law, and is therefore unlaw-
ful and ought to be put down, yet God has opened the eyes of
the people to the wickedness of these reverend sinners, so that
they hold them in derision, just as God's prophet Elijah did the
priests of Baal of old and their sacrifices. Is there any one afraid
to go fight for freedom ? Let him remember that

107

TORONTO : PAST AMD PRESENT.

' God sees with equal eye as Lord of all,
A hero perish, or a sparrow fall;'

That the jDower that protected ourselves and our forefathers in
the deserts of Canada, — that preserved from the cholera those
whom He would — that brought us safely to this continent through
the Atlantic waves — aye, and who has watched over us from in-
fancy to manhood, will be in the midst of us in the day of our
struggle for our liberties and for governors of our free choice vv^ho
would not dare to tratople on the laws they had sworn to main-
tain. In the present struggle we may be sure, if we do not rise
and put down Head and his lawless myrmidons, they will gather
all the rogues and villains in the country together, arm them, and
then deliver our farms, our families, and our country to their
brutality. To that it has come ; we must either put them down or
they will utterly destroy this country. If we move now, as one
man, to crush the tyrant's power, to establish free institutiona-
founded on God's law, we will j)rosper ; for He who commands
the winds and waves will be with us ; but if we are cowa,rdly and
mean-spirited, a woeful and a dark day is surely before us.

Canadians ! — The struggle will be of short duration in Lower
Canada, for the peo^Dle are united as one man; ort of Monlreal
and Quebec, they are as one hundred to one ; here, v/e Eeformera
are as ten to one ; and if we rise with one consent to OTcithrow
despotism we v/ill make quick work of it. Mark all those who
join our enemies, act as spies for them, fight for them, or J
them; these men's properties shall pay the expense of the strn_^gle.
They are traitors to Canadian freedom and as such wo will deal
with them.

Canadians ! — It is the design of the friends of liberty to give
several hundred acres to every volunteer, to root up the un-
lawful Canada Company, and give free deeds to all settlers who
live on their lands ; to give free gifts of tlie clergy reserve lots to
good citizens who have settled on them., and the like to settlers
on Church of England glebe lots, so that the yeomanry mny
feel independent and be able to improve Vae country instead oi
Bending the fruit of their labour to foreign lands. The iifiy-

io8

HISTORICAL.

seven Eectories will be at once given to the people, and all public
lands used for education, internal improvemens, and the public
good; $100,000 drawn from us inpayment of the salaries of bad
men in office will be reduced to one quarter or much less, and the
remainder will go to improve bad roads and to "make crooked
paths straight ;" law will be ten times more cheap and easy ;
the bickerings of priests will cease with the funds that keep them
up — and men of wealth and property from other lands will soon
raise our farms to four times their present value. We have given
Head and his employers a trial of forty-five years, five years
longer than the Israelites were detained in the wilderness. The
promised land is now before us — up then and take it — but set
not the torch to one house in Toronto unless we are fired at from
the houses, in which case self-preservation will teach us to put
down those who would murder us when up in the defence of the
laws. There are some rich men now as there were in Christ's
time who whold go with us in prosperity, but who will skulk in
the rear because of their large possessions — mark them ! They
are those who in after years will seek to corrupt our people and
change free institutions into an aristocracy of wealth to grind the
poor and make laws to fetter their energies.

" Mark my words, Canadians ! — The struggle is begun — it will
end in freedom ; but timidity, cowardice or tampering on our part
will only delay its close. We cannot be reconciled to Britain.
We have humbled ourselves to the Pharoah of England, to the
Ministers and great people, and they will neither rule us nor let
us go. We are determined never to rest until independence is
ours — the prize is a splendid one. A country larger than France
or England, natural resources equal to our most boundless wishes,
a government of equal laws, religion pure and undefiled, perpe-
tual peace, education to all, millions of acres of land for revenue,
freedom from British tribute, free trade with all the world —
but stop ! I never could enumerate all the blessings attendant
upon independence.

Up then, brave Canadians ! Get ready yoar rifles and make
short work of it ; a connection with England would involve us in

109

TOKONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

all her wars, undertaken for her own advantage, never for ours.
With governors from England we will have bribery at elections,
corruption, villainy and perpetual discord in every township,
but independence would give us the means of enjoying many
blessings. Our enemies in Toronto are in terror and dismay :
they know their wickedness and dread our vengeance. Four-
teen armed men were sent out at the dead hour of night by the
traitor Gurnettto drag to a felon's cell the sons of our worthy and
noble-minded brother departed, Joseph Sheppard, on a simple
and frivolous charge of trespass, brought by a Tory fool ; and
though it ended in ^moke it showed too evidently Head's feelings.
Is there to be an end of these things ? Aye, and now's the day
and the hour ! Woe be to those who oppose us, for ' In God is
our trust.'

The Attorney- General now informed the Governor that
Mackenzie w^as now within reach . of the law and it was
determined to arrest him for treason. But he fled ere he
could be apprehended, and, at the head of a band of armed
followers was speedily advancing to attack Toronto.

On the 15th of November, Mackenzie, Eolph, Morrison and
several others had decided at a secret meeting, held in Toronto,
on a plan of operations in unison with the expected rising in
Lower Canada, being well aw^arc of the progress of events there
from information obtained from Papineau and his friends. The
organized bands distributed over the country were to be drawn
secretly together and marched on Toronto by Yonge street on
Thursdaj^the 7th of the eu suing December. Montgomery's Farm,
about five miles from the city, was the point of rendezvous, the time
of assembly to be between six and ten o'clock at night; a single
hour's march w^ould bring the insurgent force, expected to be
at least four thousand strong, to Toronto, where the arms, weakly
guarded in the City Hall, were to be seized, the garrison taken
possession of, and the Lieutenant-Governor and his chief advisers
captured and placed in safe custody. In the event of success a
popular convention w^as to be summoned, and a constitution,
which had been already drafted, submitted thereto for adoption.

HISTORICAL.

In carrying out these plans Dr. Eolph was to be the sole
executive authority, while Mackenzie was to arrange the detail.
Eumours of the intended rising had already been conveyed to the
Lieutenant-Governor; and Egerton Eyerson and John Levin,
two loyal Methodist ministers, fresh from a pastoral tour, told
Attorney-General Hagerman of the treasonable gatherings in the
interior. But^Hagerman was equally incredulous with his chief,
and declared that he did not believe that there were fifty men in
the Province who would agree to make a descent upon Toronto.
On the 2nd of December, a resident of the Township of Markham
informed Ca|)t. Fitzbibbon, of the Governor's staff, that quantities
of pikes had been collected in his neighbourhood, and then he
observed all the signs of a rapidly ripening revolt. Sir Francis
Head was duly made aware of the fact ; but nothing was done,
and Judge Jones pettishly exclaimed that the over zeal of the
captain was giving him a great deal of trouble. By some means
the plan of insurrection had leaked out, and was known to persons
from whom Mackenzie desired to keep it secret. It came to the
ears of the elder Baldw^in. Bidweil certainly know about it, and
other leaders of the Eeform party, who kept in the background,
were well aware that insurrection was at hand. Yet it does not
appear that any one of these gave definite information to the
authorities of the danger which menaced them.

Owing to the supineness of the Government the insurgents
w^ould in all probability have captured Toronto had not Dr. Eolph
deranged Mackenzie's plan by altering the date of the attack from
the 7th to the 4th. With the greatest energy and industry
Mackenzie had traversed the surrounding country, completing
the final arrangements for rising on the 7th, and notified Van
Egmond — who had been a Colonel in the French army of Napoleon
I. and now appointed generalissimo of the insurgent army — to be
present at Montgomery's tavern on that day to direct the attack
on Toronto. On the night of the 3rd of December, Mackenzie
arrived at Gibson's house, three miles from the city, and there
learned to his great dismay that Eolph had altered the day of
attack, under the idea that the Government had learned all about

III

TOUONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

iu and were making preparations to repel it, which it is needless
to say was not the case. He further learned that Lount and
other insurgent officers were already advancing from the point
of assembly from the north. Although greatly chagrined at. the
alteration in the time of attack, Mackenzie resolutely applied
himself to put matters in the best position circumstances would
permit of. Lount arrived in the morning, after a^long march of
some thirty miles, with ninety men, and some other insurgents
having also reached Montgomery's, Mackenzie advised an im-
mediate advance upon the city but was overruled by the other
leaders, wdio determined to wait for further reinforcements, and
thus the golden ojpportunity of a surprise was lost. Mackenzie
and four others now proceeded forward to reconnoitre, and speedily
encountered two citizens, Alderman John Powell and Archibald
McDonald, who were acting as a sort of mounted patrol. He
informed them of the rising, that they must consider themselves
prisoners, go to Montgomery's hotel, where they would be well
treated, and directing two of his men, Anderson and Sheppard,
to conduct them thither, went on tow^ards the city. The prisoners,
however, had not proceeded very far when Powell shot Anderson
dead and escaped, Slieppard's horse fortunately stumbling at the
moment. Mackenzie, as his late prisoner passed, unavailingly
directed him to return, then fired at him over his horse's head
but missed him. Powell now pulled up, and coming alongside
Mackenzie placed the muzzle of the pistol close to his head,
but a flash in the pan solved the life of the insurgent chief.
Powell himself proceeded to the Government House, and Sir
Francis Head, who had gone to bed suffering from a sick head-
ache, was at -once made aware of the imminent danger threatening
the city. The winter was unusually mild, navigation was still
open, and a friendly steamer in the harbour gave refuge to the
family of His Excellency. Alarm spread on every side, the armed
guard of the city were hastily assembled to protect its twevle
thousand inhabitants, and volunteers, among whom were the five
Judges, armed themselves with the muskets which were hastily
unpacked and distributed. By and by pickets were posted, other

112

VOIitnnEER'S MOKUMEITT. QUEENS PaRK

HISTORICAL.

measures of defence taken, and wearied watchers lay down to
sleep with their arms at hand and ready for immediate use.
Already,. Anderson was not the only victim of this unhappy rising.
At an early period the old Indian track leading northward to
Lake Simcoe had been widened into a road, and the fine rolling,
comitry on either side taken up for settlement. Eetired army
and naval officers made their homes here, and in the cultivation
of the fertile glebe ceased to regret the stirring scenes of their
past life. Among these was Lieutenant-Colonel Moodie, a native
of Fifeshire in Scotland, who had campaigned in the Peninsula
during its hardest fighting, was present at Queenston Heights,
and rose to the command of the 10-lth Eegiment of the Line.
Tiiis gallant gentleman saw Lount's force pass by his dwelling at
four o'clock in the afternoon, at once instinctively divined the
cause of the insurgent gathering, and determined, at all hazards,
to warn the authorities Toronto of their danger. A messenger
was at first despatched with a letter, but learning that he had
been taken prisoner, the Colonel, accompanied by Captain
Stewart, of the Eoyal Navy, proceeded to Toronto on horseback.
On their way thither they were joined by three other friends. At
Montgomery's tavern he was stopped by a strong guard of
insurgents drawn up across the road, rashly fired his pistol when
they oj)posed his further progress; was mortally wounded by a
gunshot, and died within two hours. An Irishman of the name
of Kyan fired the fatal shot, and the wretched man, after the
d^ispersionof the rebel force, took refuge in the dense forest on the
shores of Lake Huron, and from thence, after sustaining the
greatest hardships, he escaped to the United States in the ensuing
spring.

Failing to obtain any information of the correct state of matters
in the city, Mackenzie had returned to the insurgent head-
quarters. Anderson's death threw a gloom over Lount and liis
men, increased by the intense fatigue they had undergone, the
want of food, and the hearing of the city alarm bells, which told
them that the inhabitants were now fully apprised of their danger.
But as the night passed away reinforcements came up, and

1^3

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Mackenzie agcain prepared an advance upon the city, to be a
second time overruled. As Tuesday progressed the insurgent
gathering swelled to eight hundred men, armed with rifles, fowling
pieces and pikes, and if they had boldly advanced upon the city,
the weak force of three or four hundred men which the authorities
had gathered for its defence, with the aid of the disaffected
citizens, must have been overpowered.

Alarmed at the prospect of an immediate attack, and desirous
to gain time, the Governor at mid-day sent the secret traitor,
Eolph, and Kobert Baldwin to the insurgents with a flag of truce,
ostensibly to learn what they demanded. Mackenzie replied,
that they wanted independence ; and added that as they had no
confidence in the Governor's word, he would have to put his
messages in writing and within one hour. As two o'clock
approached the insurgents advanced towards the city and were
met at its immediate borders by a second flag of truce, bringing
an answer that their demand could not be complied with. But
their further advance was now stayed by the secret advice of
Eolph to wait till six o'clock, and enter the city undercover of
night, when the disaffected there to the number of six hundred
would be prepared to join them. At the appointed hour they
again moved forward, and when within half a mile of the city
were fired upon by a picket of loyalists concealed behind a fence,
and who immediately afterwards retreated. This unlooked for
attack produced the greatest confusion among the insurgents,
who, after firing a few shots in return, were soon speeding
away in disorderly flight, leaving behind one of their number
killed and two wounded. Mackenzie endeavoured to rally the
flying mob, but they absolutely refused to renew the attack, the
majority throwing away their arms and returning to their homes.
During the night a few fresh bodies of insurgents came up, but on
the following day Mackenzie's force, all told, had dwindled down to
about five hundred men. Despairing of success, Eolph had fled
to the United States the preceding night, and was followed by a
number of others who had effectually compromised themselves.
Meanwhile intelligence had sped far and wide that the rebels

114

HISTORICAL.

had advanced against Toronto. At two o'clock on Friday after-
noon Sir Allan McNab learned the news at Hamilton, and
immediately mounting his horse, he rode to the wharf, seized a
steamboat lying there, put a guard on board and despatched
men in various directions to summon loyal men to the rescue.
In three hours time the steamer was under weigh, freighted with
stout hearts and stalwart arms, to be received at Toronto with
cheers, that, reverberating to Government House, told the anxious
Sir Francis Head that the " men of Gore " had first arrived to
aid him. Next day the loyal militia crowded in to his assistance
from all directions, and were armed and organized as well as
circumstances would permit.

Early on Thursday morning Van Egmond arrived to take
command of the insurgents, and detached a force of sixty
men to cut off communication with Toronto to the east-
ward, burn the Don bridge, capture the mail from Montreal,
and draw out the force of the enemy in that direction. They
succeeded in capturing the mail, setting the bridge on fire ;
but the flames were shortly afterwards extinguished and no
intelligence of consequence was acquired by the insurgents.
Meantime, it having been determined by the authorities in the
city to attack the main body of the insurgents at Mont-
gomery's Tavern or Gallows Hill, every preparation was
made by 11 o'clock. Six hundred men and two field pieces
formed the main column of attack under Sir Allan McNab while
another force of three hundred and twenty men were detached to
take the insurgent position in flank. It was situated at a small
w-ood near the road, which afforded partial cover to some four
hundred badly armed men, who still clung to the desperate for-
tunes of their leaders. Their defence was of the weakest kind ;
the fire of the artillery speedily drove them from their first position
when a few volleys of musketry and a bayonet charge put them
into rapid flight, hotly pursued by the enraged militia. The loss
of the insurgents was thirty-six killed and fourteen wounded,
while the loyalist force only sustained a loss of three slightly
wounded. Little mercy was shown to the defeated, and two

115

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

trembling prisoners were alone brought in to be immefliately
discliargecl by the Governor, who subsequently directed Mont-
gomery's Tavern and the dwelling of Gibson — a, member of
the Assembly, who had a command under Mackenzie — to be
burned down. During their stay at Gallows Hill the insurgents
made prisoners of fifty-four loyalists, but they were treated as
well as circumstances admitted of, and were not subjected to any
cruelty whatever.

And thus terminated the attempt to capture Toronto. Had
the insurgents been led by men of resolution and skill there can
be little doubt their object would have been successful. Toronto
once captured, insurrection would have raised its head in every
direction and a large amount of injury inflicted upon the whole
country, although about the ultimate issue of the struggle there
could be no question. Upper Canada alone at this period con-
tained a population 450,000 souls, and the Home District, the
focus of sedition, of 60,000. Fully three-fourths of the people
were loyal to the British Crown. Immediately after the action
at Gallows Hill, Mackenzie fled toward the Niagara frontier,
which, after several hair-breadth escapes, he succeeded in reach-
ing and was safely housed in Buffalo. A reward of £1,000 was
offered for --his apprehension, and £500 each for the capture of
David Gibson, Samuel Lount, Silas Fletcher and Jesse Lloyd,
the other principal rebel leaders. Eolph had already fled the
Province, and a few days afterwards was haranguing an audience
at Lewiston and inciting them to aid the rebellion, while Bidwell
voluntarly exiled himself, became a citizen of the United States,
and an eminent lawyer of New York City, having been admitted
to the New York Bar by courtesy.

The country was now in a complete ferment. Althou.'::;h it was
the middle of winter, ten thousand gallant militia crowded in
from all quarters towards Toronto animated with the most loyal
and devoted zeal. The want of transport, in numerous cases of
bedding and of even warm clothing, was unheeded by these brave
men, who thus showed themselves to be animated by the same
indomitable spirit which had sustained the Canadian militia

ii6

HISTORICAL.

during the tliree years' war with the United States. The loyal
feehng so generally manifested alike by Conservatives and
moderate Eeformers, soon freed Sir Francis Head from all
apprehensions with regard to the safety of Toronto, and he directed
the militia of Glengarry, and of the other districts next to the
Lower Provinces, to hold themselves in readiness to march to the
aid of Sir John Colborne should he require their services.
Kingston as well as Toronto, was speedily placed in a position of
perfect safety by the arrival of several militia corps, which under
the command of Sir Eichard Bonycastle, the principal military
officer there, soon constituted a gallant and most efficient force.
Never, in short, was a better spirit evinced. Under existing
circumstances successful rebellion was an impossibility in Upper
Canada. Even the capture of Toronto could only have made the
struggle more bloody — the record in the end must have been the
same.

Mr. Lindsay in his " Life and Times of Mackenzie and the
Canadian Eebellion 1837-8/' thus describes the attack upon the
rebels : —

" Toronto contained 12,000 inhabitants, and if the Government
had not been odious to the majority of the peojDle, it ought to
have been able to raise force enough to beat back 400 rebels, for
to this number had the patriotic army been reduced. But neither
Toronto nor the neighbouring country furnished the requisite
force, and Sir Francis Bond Head had awaited in trembling
anxiety the arrival of forces from other parts of the province.
Hfciving at length determined upon an attack, Sir Francis Bond
Head assembled the ' overwhelming forces ' at his command,
under the direction of Col. Fitzgibbon, Adjutant-General of the
Militia. The main body v»^as headed by Col. McNab, the right
wing being commanded by Col. S. Jarvis, the left by Col. William
Chisholm, assisted by Mr. Justice McLean. Major Cafrae of the
Militia Artillery, had charge of two guns. The order to march
was given about 12 o'clock and at one the loyalists and the
patriot forces were in sight of one another. When the sentinels
at Montgomery's announced that the loyalists were within sight

117

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

with music and artillery, the patriots were still discussing tneir
plans. Preparations were at once made to give them battle.
Mackenzie at first doubting the intelligence, rode forward till he
became convinced by a full vie w of the enemy. When he returned,
he asked the small band of patriots w^hether they were ready to
encounter a force far greatly superior in numbers to themselves,
well armed and provided with artillery. They replied in the
affirmative ; and he ordered the men into a piece of thin woods
on the west side of the road, where they found a slight protection
from the fire of the enemy they had to encounter. A portion of
the men took a position in the open field on the east side of the
road. The men in the western copse had to sustain nearly the
whole fire of the artillery from Toronto ; " and never," says Mr.
Mackenzie, " did men fight more courageously. In the face of
grape and canister, with broadside following broadside of musketry
in steady and rapid succession, they stood their ground firmly
a3id killed and wounded a large number of the enemy, but were
at length compelled to retreat."

Some are of opinion that tho fighting lasted an hour ; but
there are different opinions on this point. Mackenzie remained
on the scene of action till the last moment, and till the mounted
loyalists were closing upon him. " So unwilling was Mackenzie
to leave the field of battle," says an eye-witness, and so hot
the chase after him, that he distanced the enemy's horsemen only
thirty or forty yards by his superior knowledge of the country,
and reached Col. Lount and our friends on the retreat just in
time to save his neck." The Lieutenant-Governor thought it
necessary " to mark and record by some stern act of vengance
the important victory " that had been achieved over the insur-
gent forces. In the presence of the militia he determined to
burn Montgomery's Hotel* and Gibson's dwelling house.

*Sir F. Head has given the following account of the burning:—" Volume after
volume of deep black smoke rolling and rising from the windows of Montgomery's
Tavern, now attracted my attention. This great and lofty building, entirely
constructed of timber and planks, was soon a mass of flames, where long red
tongues sometimes darted horizontially as if revengefully to consume those who

Il8

HISTORICAL.

Insurgent prisoners alleged that Sir F. Head was urged to
include the residence of Mr. J. H. Price in the programme of
destruction, but that he refused to act on the suggestion. But
if he executed stern vengeance, he showed, also, that he was
not incapable of performing an act of clemency. He released
several of the prisoners almost as soon as captured, bidding them
go to their homes and return to their duties of allegiance. In
some cases however, the men though released were arrested again
almost as soon as they arrived home, without having been guilty
of any new act that would have warranted such a procedure.
After the defeat of the insurgents and their retreat above
Montgomery's, it would be difficult to justify these burnings on
the plea of necessity; and indeed the Lieutenant-Governor, by
whom they were ordered, does not appear to have felt the least
embarrassment in describing them as acts of vengeance. The
militia who went to the rescue of the Government, was not
generally a more martial looking body of men than these under
Lount and the rebel leaders. A description of a party who came
down from the North, as given by an eye-witness, would answer,
with very slight variation, for any portion of the loyalist force.
He says: — " Each man wore a pink ribbon on his arm to dis-
tinguish him from the rebels ; not one-third had arms of any
kind, and many of these who v/ere armed had nothing better than
pitchforks, rusty swords, dilapidated guns, and newly manufac-
tured pikes, with an occasional bayonet on the end of a pole.
These persons without the least authority of law, set about a
disarming process, depriving every one who refused to join them
or whom they choose to suspect of disloyalty, of his arms. Powder
was taken from stores without the least ceremony wherever found,
and without payment. On Thursday a final march from Bradford

had created them," and then flared high above the roof. As we sat on our horses
the heat was intense, and while the conflagration was the subject of joy and
triumph to the gallant spirits that immediately surrounded it, it was a lurid telegraph
which intimated to many an anxious and aching heart at Toronto the joyful
intelligence that the yeomen and farmers of Upper Canada had triumphed over
their perfidious enemy."

iig

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

for Toronto was commenced, the number of men being nearly five
hundred, includmg one hundred and fifty Indians with painted
faces and savage looks. In their triumphant march these
grotesque looking militiamen made a prisoner of every man who
did not give such an account of himself as they deemed satisfac-
tory. Each prisoner as he was taken was tied to a rope ; and
when Toronto was reached a string of fifty prisoners, all fastened
together, were marched in. Fearing an ambush these recruits
did not venture to march through the Oak Eidges in the night,
and a smoke being seen led to the conclusion that Toronto was
in flames. McLeod's Tavern beyond the Eidges was taken pos-
session of, as well as several other houses in the vicinity. In a
neighbouring store all kinds of provisions and clothing that could
be obtained were unceremoniously seized. At the tavern there was
a regular scramble for food ; and cake baking, and bacon-fr3dng
were going on upon a wholesale scale. Next morning several
who had no arms, and others who were frightened, returned to
their homes. Many joined from compulsion, and a larger number,
including some who had been at Montgomery's, suddenly turned
loyalists when they found the fortunes of the insurrection had
become desperate. "When they marched into Toronto they were
as motley a collection as it would be possible to conceive.

Of such material as this was the crowds that flew to the
assistance of Sir Francis from all parts of Upper Canada, drawn
chiefly from the agricultural classes ; though disapproving of the
conduct of the Executive, their intense loyalty led them to sink
all minor difl'erences in their common devotion to their Queen
and country, and thus, at the call to arms, they at once placed
themselves at the disposal of the military authorities. On the
dispersing of the rebels, the Lieutenant-Governor issued the
following

« PEOCLAMATION !

To the Queen^s Faithful Subjects in Upper Canada:

In a time of profound peace, while every one was quietly
following his occupation, feeling secure under the protection of

I20

HISTORICAL.

our laws, a band of Eebels, instigated by a few malignant and
disloyal men, lias had the wickedness and audacity to assemble
with arms, and to attack and murder the Queen's subjects on the
highway, to burn and destroy their property, to rob the pubHc
mails, and to threaten to plunder the banks and to fire the City
of Toronto.

Brave and loyal people of Upper Canada : We have long been
suffering from acts and endeavours of concealed traitors, but
this is the first time that rebellion has dared to show itself openly
in the land, in the absence of invasion by any foreign enemy.
Let every man do his duty now and it will be the last time
that we or our children shall see our lives or our properties
endangered, or the authority of our Gracious Queen insulted by
such treacherous and ungrateful men. Militiamen of Upper
Canada : No country has ever shown a finer example of loyalty
and spirit than you have given upon this sudden call of duty.
Young and old of all ranks are flocking to the standard of the
country. What has taken place will enable our Queen to know
her friends from her enemies. A public enemy -is never so
dangerous as a concealed traitor. And, now, my friends, let us
complete well what is begun. Let us not return to our rest till
treason and traitors are revealed to the light of day and rendered
harmless throughout the land.

Be vigilant, patient and active ; leave punishment to the
laws. Our first object is to arrest and secure all these who have
been guilty of rebellion, murder and robbery; and to aid us in
this a reward is hereby offered of one thousand pounds, to any
person who will apprehend and deliver up to justice William
Lyon Mackenzie ; and five hundred pounds to any one who will
deliver up to justice, David Gibson, or Samuel Lount, or Jesse
Lloyd, or Silas Fletcher ; and the same reward and a free pardon
will be given to any of their accomplices who will render this
public service, except he or they shall have committed, in his own
person, the crimes of murder or arson. And all, but the leaders
above named, who have been seduced to join in this unnatural
rebellion, are hereby called upon to return to their duty to their

121

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Sovereign, to obey the laws, and to live henceforward as good
and faithful subjects, and they will find the Government of their
Queen as indulgent as it is just.

God Save the Queen!"

Upwards of eight hundred persons were within the next few
months arrested on the charge of insurrection and conspiracy and
confined in various prisons of the Province, though the largest
portion were discharged within a few days after their arrest ; of
this number 424 prisoners were from the District of Toronto.

On the 12th of April, 1838, the two misguided men, Samuel
Lount and Peter Matthews, were executed at Toronto as traitors
and rebels, much against the strongly expressed wishes of a vast
majority of the people. As an instance of the feeling against
the Executive proceeding to extreme measures, a petition in
favour of saving Lount and Matthews from a death on the
gallows was circulated in Toronto, and in three days received
not less than eight thousand signatures. A suspicion also existed
that the Home Government desired the Executive to deal lenient-
ly with all prisoners, but that, for .purposes of their own, the
Executive in Toronto were determined to carry out the law with
the utmost rigour in these two cases. That the Home Govern-
ment desired to treat these men in a charitable spirit is manifest
from the following despatch, dated Downing Street, March 14th,
1838, addressed to Sir George Arthur, Lieutenant-Governor of
Upper Canada, in these terms :

" Sir, — Eepresentations have reached this department from
various quarters that during the present session of the Legislature
of Upper Canada, measures of unusual severity and of extensive
application have been proposed against those who may have been
in any way implicated in the late insurrection in the Province.
As these representations have not reached me in any ofiicial
form, I am inclined to hope that they may prove exaggerated ;
but I shall await with anxiety your report of the proceedings of
the Legislature during their present session.

" Her Majesty's Government are fully alive to the difiicult
position in which, at such a period of alarm and confusion, the

122

HISTORICAL.

Legislature and the Government were placed. But as I trust the
causes of a^pprehension so lately existing are now, through the
loyalty of the great body of the population, almost entirely at an
end, I earnestly hope that they will be as distinguished by
moderation after success as they have been by gallantry in the
time of danger. Nothing, I fear would be more likely to impair
the moral effects of the late events than unnecessary severity ; I
trust, therefore, that while every means will be adopted essential
to the security of the Province, your influence ivill be successfully
exerted in moderating the zeal of those, if such there he, tvho migld
he disposed to proceed to extreme measures, and in allaying the
irritation which, however natural, cannot but be attended with
danger to the public peace."

Like all rebellions, that in Canada produced its full harvest of
disorder, not only in Toronto, the immediate scene of its principal
events, but throughout the entire Province. It caused a large
outlay to the State and checked the progress of the country,
aroused men's evil passions, and drew them from their homes
to the injury of their business.

123

HISTORICAL.

CHAPTEE VII.

Feeling of Discontent in the City — Appointment of Sir George Arthur —
Transference of the Seat of Government to Kingston — Population
in 1841 and 1845 — First Issue of the Glol/e — Fire of 1849 — Destruc-
tion of the Cathedral — -The Cholera — Numerous Deaths — Popula-
tion in 1851 — Religious Persuasions — The Hon. George Brown —
Lawlessness and Vagrancy in the City — Poor Attendance at the
Public Schools — Professions followed in the City in 1856-7.

HOUGH the rebellion was crushed, and the firm
loyalty of the citizens of Toronto manifested, yet
there remained a strong feeling of discontent and
dissatisfaction with the Lieutenant-Governor, a feeling which
was only allayed with his removal.

Sir Francis Bond Head was succeeded at the Government
House by Sir George Arthur, who kept the reins of government
until 1841, when the unity of the two Provinces was effected, and
^ the seat of Government removed to Kingston. Had the trans-
ference of the Government taken place ten years sooner it might
have had a serious effect upon the prosperity of the town, but
in 1841 Toronto had become of too great commercial importance
to feel much ill effect from the event, and, consequently, it
entailed only a loss of tlie expenditure of a few thousand
pounds per annum; but this amount a population of near 15,000
could easily sustain. Many persons thought that with the
removal of the seat of Government from Toronto the city
growth and prosperity would be at an end. Some of the store-
keepers were willing to sell out their stocks at considerable
reduction, but these timid ones soon saw that the steady pros-
perity of the city did not depend upon official patronage.

From the date of the incorporation of the City to the removal
of the seat of Government to Kingston, in 1841 (a period of
seven years), the increase of population had been about 6,000

125

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

persons, and from 1841 to 1845 the increase of population was
A, over 4,000 persons, the population being nearly 19,000.

In the month of March, 1844, the Globe first made its appear-
ance, in the form of a weekly newspaper, and it very soon be-
came one of the most influential newspapers in the country, and
in 1846, having attained a circulation of about 2,000, then con-
sidered something enormous, it began to be issued semi-weekly,
and so continued until 1849, when it was issued tri-weekly and
weekly.

This appears to have been a most unfortunate year in the
City's history, fire and pestilence having visited it with no light
hand. During the months of January, February and March
several fires had taken place, and in almost every case a scarcity
of water had been complained of. The press of the city had
urged upon the authorities the necessity of making more ade-
quate provision against the ravages of the devouring element,
but these warnings were passed unheeded, until the infliction
of a calamity that for a time almost ruined the future pros-
pects of the city.

The Globe of Saturday, April 7th, contained the following
account of this great fire :

" About half-past one this morning a fire was discovered in
some outbuildings in the rear of Graham's Tavern, King street,
and Post's Tavern, Nelson street. The fire speedily extended to
the main part of Nelson street, on the east, consuming Post's
Tavern, the Patriot office, and turning into King Street, on the
east, burnt all Mr. Sprule's buildings, where it stopped. The fire
extended from King street to the south of Buke street, where
it consumed nearly all the back buildings and the office of the
Savings' Bank.

" It then crossed to the west side of Nelson street to Eolf s
Tavern, destroying the whole block, including the Mirror office,
to Mr. Nasmith's bakery. Proceeding from Eolf's Tavern the
flames laid hold of the corner building, occupied by Mr.
O'Donohue, which was speedily consumed, and then they ran
along the whole block to Mr. O'Neill's, consuming the valu-

126

mSTOEJCAL.

able stores of Messrs. Hayes, Hoj-ris, Cherry, CNeill and others.
Ahoiit three o'clock the spire of St. James' Cathedral took
lire, and the building was entirely destroyed ; about the same
time the flames broke out in the old City Hail, consuming the
greater part of the front building, including Mr. McFarlane's
small store.

" The fire then extended from the Cathedral across to the
south side of King street, where a- fire had lately occurred. The
shops of Mr. Eogers and others were with difficulty saved. All
that block was in great danger; some of them had most of their
goods removed, and great injury to property was sustained.
About five o'clock the flames were in a great measure subdued.
The exertions of the firemen were for a long time retarded for
want of water.

^' The soldiers of the Kifle Brigade from the garrison were
extremely active, and deserve the highest gratitude of the citi-
zens. The loss by this fire is estimated at the lowest computa-
tion to be £100,000 sterling.

''It is not easy to describe the gloom which this calamity
has cast over the city, or the ruined appearance of the ground
so lately occupied by many respectable and industrious indi-
viduals, who, by the work of four or five hours, were suddenly
thrown out of business or seriously injured in their circum-
stances.

" In whatever light this serious event be regarded, it must be
acknowledged as a heavy blow and sore discouragement to
Toronto, the heaviest it has received.

" There cannot be a doubt, however, that the activity and
enterprise of the inhabitants will soon surmount the loss. The
season is favourable for rebuilding, and many improvements will
doubtless be introduced in the formation of new streets. Mean-
time there is a first duty to be looked to : we mean the relief of
those who are so reduced by the fire as to require public assis-
tance. There are cases of the kind where a small amount of
assistance promptly administered will revive the drooping spirits
of those who may be ready to sink under their burdens.

127

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

''We hope the puhlic will not lose sight of this, but will
come forward with a liberal hand when it is required.

"Mr. Watson, publisher of the Canadian and Upper Canada
Gazette, lost his life in tr^dng to save some type from the Patriot
office."

V A fire such as this, involving a loss of over half a million of
dollars, was indeed a sore blow to the citizens, and it is clear
that had it not been for the exertions of the troops in the garri-
son, the ravages of the fire would have been far more de-
structive.

The destruction of the Cathedral was witnessed with feelings
of deep regret, for though to our modern eyes it looked a very
commonplace structure, yet to the parishioners who had wor-
shipped therein it was endeared by many pleasant memories,
and, com.pared with its surroundings, was considered a very
fine structure.

The church took fire in the steeple, a spark from the burning
mass to the eastward having lodged in the lattice work, almost
at its very pinnacle ; it was scon discovered; and though efTorts
were at first made to extinguish it, the water supply was too low
or the engines too v/eak to send the stream so high, and so,
steadily burning, every moment gaining strength, the fire crept
down the spire until the whole was one mass of fiame, which,
communicating with the roof of the church, soon enveloped,
the whole edifice in flames. While the spire was burning it
presented a magnificent spectacle, and finally falling with a ter-
rific crash, sent up a shower of sparks, which, flying over the
city like thousands of brilliant meteors, illuminated it in all
directions.

Building operations were soon resumed upon the site of
the burnt district, and the usual results followed, viz., im-
provements in the buildings erected, improvements in n.v,
streets, and bad it not been for thv6 fire it is projf'b-O
' tjat Toronto would not at the present time have been
able to boa&t of a Cathedral of such striking beauty and
grandeur as is presented by St. James's. A few months

128

HISTOrJCrVL.

after the city haJ been swept by this disastrous fire a still
more relentless and terrible enemy visited Toronto. With
early spring the usual influx of immigrants begcin to arrive, and
with them came disease in the form of the fearful Asiatic
V cholera. The first case was reported near the end of the
month of June ; at the end of July 162 cases had been reported,
resulting in 107 deaths. During the month of August the epi-
demic spread with fearful rapidity, seizing hold of rich and poor,
young and old, spreading alarm and consternation among the
inhabitants. Up to the 15th of August the total number of cases
reported by the Board of Health were 436, and the number of
deaths 265. From the 15th of August to the 3rd of September
the number of cases had increased to 700, and the deaths to 421.
^ From this date the scourge began to abate, and by the end of
September had entirely left the city, but not before upwards cf
800 persons had been prostrated, and of this number mere than
500 had died from this fearful plague. Everything that expe-
rience or science could suggest v/as promptly done by the Msljot
and City Council to alleviate the horrors and misery caused by
this visitation, and though so very many of the inhabitants fell
victims to the epidemic, yet the death rate in Toronto was far
below that of other cities and towns in Canada.

Canada had for a few years enjoyed a steady flow of immi-
gration, and Toronto received a large percentage of the new
arrivals, so much so, that the population had increased from
15,000 in 1841, to 80,775 in 1851, and, according to the censi^s,
was composed of the following nationalities: — English, 4,958;
Scotch, 2,169; Irish, 11,305; natives not oi French origin,
9,956; natives of French origin, 467; zimericans, 1,405. The
cumber of houses in the city was 4,264, a large number of
them being very small and dilapidated. The amount of real
^ property was Vc^lued by the City Assessors at nearly |15,000,000.

The religious persuasions were given as follows :

Church oi England
Church cf Bc^ne ...
Free Church Presb}

2.137

729

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Other Presbyterians i>346

Church of Scotland i,o6i

"Wesleyan Methodists S^ssi

Other Methodists 872

Baptists 9;8

Congregationalists 646

This list, though admitted correct at the time, gives hut a
faint idea of what would be a religious census of Toronto to-day.
The Wesleyan Methodists alone have now twelve churches, two
of which would accomodate all the adherents of that church in
1851, and almost similar results w^ould be found in all denomi-
nations.

The Hon. George Brown, during the month of December, was
first elected a member of the Canadian Legislature, as represen-
tative of the county of Kent. McMailen, in his History of
Canada," speaking of Mr. Brown, says, "A man of this stamp,
and whose personal exertions on behalf of his party were aided
by the great influence of the leading Pieform journal of UjDper
Canada, could not be otherwise than a most formidable opponent.
Gifted with a clear and vigorous intelloct, possessed of habits of
great industry, and the most indomitable perseverance, his in-
formation extended over every branch of the public service, and-
eminentl}^ fitted him for the position of a partisan leader and
, succossfal agitator. It is a somewhat singular circumstance
that as regards the latter capacity this country should be so much
indebted to natives of Scotland instead of to its more mer^^urial
citizens of Irish origin. The eccentric GourJay effected, in-
directly, no small amount of good for Canada. His mantle fell
upon the shoulders of William Lyon Mackenzie, to i^roduce, in-
deed, the miseries of rash and partial rebellion, but at the same
time to hasten the advent of ' Eesponsibie Government,' the
redress of numerous abuses, and the dawn of a new, more en-
lightened and more healthy epoch. Of a far superior stamp to
his two predecessors, Mr. Brown's intellectual standard is com-
mensurate with the modern and more advanced period of Cana-
dian progress, and if the wT.nt of tact, and an inaccurate
perception of the true idiosyncrasy of this country have led him

130

HISTOEICAL.

occasionally into errors of statesmanship, posterity, nevertheless,
must confess itself deeply indebted to him for a manly exposure
of public abuses, and for restraining the current of corruption,
■which railway and other kindred speculations turned at one time
so strongly U23on Canada. Early in 1856, Mr. Brown's peculiar
views, as well as his public policy, were rising rapidly into favor
with the Keform party of Upper Canada. His sturdy Protes-
tantism not only rallied to his .side the Free Church and Metho-
dist denominations, which had hitherto entered largely into the
composition of that party, but w^as also awakening a profound
sympathy in the Orange element of the Conservative ranks.
The agitation against the influence of the Eoman Catholic
priesthood, now unquestionably very great, and against Lower
Canadian domination, was already becoming popular in the
Upper Province ; and the Baldwin and Ilincks' policy of a union
with the French, or Conservative Church party, was almost
entirely abandoned by the Western Eeformers."

The Hon. George Brown's subsequent career is well known.
The influence he has wielded in the political afi'airs of Canada is
probably second to none of those of her most prominent states-
men, wliether in Parliament., or in the editorial rooms of the
Globe. By his voice and his pen he has done much to mould the
policy of the Ptcform party, and modify that of his opponents.
Controlling the leading and most powerful journal in the
Dominion, in which a progressive and liberal jDolicy is advocated,
he has become a power in the Eeform party that no section in its
ranks can afford to despise. The Conservatives, feeling his
power, and knov/ing the influence of the Globe, upon all occa-
sions endeavour to belittle him, and make him the chief butt of
thoir shafts and sarcasms, and so to-doy the Hon. George
Brown stands acknov, ledged as one of the most influential poli-
tic'.ans of the Dominion, and, as a necessary consequence, one
of the best abused men in British America.

The fourth session of the third Parliament of United Canada
met for the first time in Toronto, in Ma.j. 1850, in consequence
of the r'*.ots in Montreal and the destruction of the Parliament

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

buildings, the Legislature having decided to meet for two years
in Toronto, and then four years alternately ^ in Quebec and
Toronto. In 1852, therefore, the Legislature was convened at
Quebec, and in 1856 again returned to Toronto.

The city had, for a lew years, been remarkably progressive,
not only in numbers but also in wealth, and at the same time
began to attain a notoriety for lawlessness and crime which very
soon attracted attention throughout Canada, and was the cause
of many strong comments in the leading columns of the Globe
and other journals upon the magistrates and other city
officials. A writer, alluding to this fact, says, " No one
would imagine, in vv^alking along King street any afternoon,
amidst the display of beauty, fashion and gaiety, which are
ohcn exhibited, that one out of every nine of our popu-
lation was brought up before the police magistrate during
the past year for some misdemeanor growing out of our
drhikhig customs, yet such is the lamentable fact, for it appear:,
by the police statistics for the year ending December, 1857, that
3,971 males and 1,025 fomales — in all 4,996 persons— being one
in every nine of our population — were arrested and brought be-
fore the police magistrate during the year 1857. Of this numbe?
there are classed under the general phrase drunk and disorderly^
2,031 males and 673 females— in all 2,704. To this numoer
require to be added 420 for assault ; 86 for kecphf.g disorderly
houses- -a class of houses alarmingly and unblushingly on the
increase in the city ; 271 for threatening — which is assault in its
incipient stages; and 208 for selling intoxicating drink without
license, making a total of 3,709 as the direct result of the traOic
in intoxicating liquoss — or more than three-fourths of the v/hole
number. Such is the melancholy catalogue of the past year.
Nor is it likely that the record of the present year will be more-
cheering. If the numbers deluded and ensnared by the evanes-
cent exhilaration which intoxicating liquor imparts bears any
ratio to the facilities for obtaining intoxicants, there is great
reason to fear that the criminal calendar for the present year,
traced as impartially as that of the past year, will present a far

132

R'ISTOEICAL..

gloomier aspect of our social state than the chronicle now com-
mented on. The City Comicil bj^-law, passed in the early part
of the year, proclaimed free trade in drink selling, and, as a
necessary consequence, if we sow the wind we shall reap the
^Yhirlwind."

Speaking of vagrancy, the same writer says, " A few years
ago such a thing was unknown. You might have passed from
one end of the city to the other, at all hours of the day, wdth-
OLit meeting with one suppliant for charity. Why has the scene
so sadly changed that it attracts the attention of strangers, and
is heralded through the broadsheets of the neighbouring republic
that begging forms one of the distinctive features in our social
state ? " The correspondent of a New York paper thus alludes
to it: — I am surprised at the number of beggars in Toroito.
You cannot go into the streets -without annoyance from them.
If two" persons stop to speak, they are sure to be interrupted in
a feAv seconds by a beggar." These remarks from a stranger
might easily be accounted for, even though begging was on a
comparatively small scale, from the fact that if there are beggars
in a city they are sure to be found at the doors of stage-offices
a.nd hotels, where strangers congregate. This decay in the social
stal;us had, however, attracted the attention of one of our city
editors.* He says, This- beggar nuisance is growing to be in-
tolerable. Pass where you will, and often as you will, you are
beset with some sturdy applicant for alms — they dodge you
round corners, they follow you into shops, they are to be found
at the church steps, they are at the door of the theatre, they
infest the entrance to every bank, they crouch in the lobby of the
post-office, they assail you in every street, knock at your private
residence, walk into your place of business, and beard you with
a pertinacity that takes no denial. It may not be the few
co]:>pers, or the odd Y^orker, in which one is mulct, that makes
this new cu:'^se intolerable. There is a loathsomeness about the
beggar's calling that makes the supplication repulsive. But

* Dally Qolonist,

133

TORONTO : PAST AKD PRESENT.

were this all, even this, disgusting as are the* aids called in to
excite our sympathies, might with some little philosophy he
borne. The nuisance, however, is on Hs growth. In this, our
good city of Toronto, beggary has assumed the dignity of a
craft. Whole families sally forth and have their appointed
rounds — children are taught to dissemble — to tell a lying tale
of misery and woe — and beg or steal as occasion offers. To tole-
rate false mendicity is a false philanthropy. It is to nurture the
germs of every vice that ever adorned the gallows — it is to com-
mit a sin against the youthful poor, and to neglect the duty w^e
owe to our neighbour and to ourselves." Another city journal,
commenting on this article, said, " This is putting the matter in
a somew^iat broad li.^'ht, but it may be pericctiv oithol'^x mi so
far as the editor of the Colonist is co}j corned, for he is rather
complaisant and benevolent-looldng, dresses well and very taste-
fully, and is just such a person as that shrevvd and w^ily • class
would be ready to pounce upon wdth a certainty of success. We
ourselves think the matter a little overdraw'n. * * * g^j^
of the growing addiction in our poorer class (and w^e regret to
say others) to intemperance we must maintain a painful silence.
This, if w^e do not take active steps for its repression, wdll be tho
great stumbling block to our future prosperity."

The attendance of scholars at the public schools at thin time
was very low, as might be expected from the preceding state-
ments. The number of scholars entered upon the school regis-
ters for 1857 was 4,543—2,310 boys and 2,283 girls. The ave-
rage monthly attendance, that is, of those who were present at
school more or less during the month, was 2,480 ; but the ave-
rage attendance for the year was only 1,863 — 1,023 boys and
840 girls. The highest number present in all the schools at any
one time during the year 1857 was 2,332 — 1,373 boys and 1,059
girls. With a school popidation of at least 7,500, taking the
low average of one child of school age to each house, we have a
free school register of 4,543, and from that list an average atten-
dance of only 1,863. No wonder that the superintendent was
forced to the conclusion that the condition of the free school

134

HISTOEICAL.

system at this time was anything hut encouraging or satisfactory.
I In 1844, with a population of 18,500, the average attendance of

✓ the city schools was 1,194, while in 1857, with a population of
over 40,000, the average attendance was only 1,863. In a finan-
cial point of view the failure was equally striking, for while in
1844 and the six succeeding years the average cost pe?: head was
$6, in 1857 the cost per head amounted to $13. In 1844 there
were only twelve teachers employed ; in 1857 the number was
thirty-six; so that with a gross population more than double
that of 1844, and a threefold complement of teachers, the number
of children taught has not very greatly increased, certainly not
in a corresponding ratio with the facilities provided. In his
report for 1857 the Local Superintendent, said, "If I under-
stand aright the principle upon which free schools, maintained
by general assessment upon property, have been established and
are justified, it means that the rich ought to educate the poor,
not as a charity, but because, in a social as well as moral point
of view, it is, as a matter of economy, better to educate than to
\ ]3unisli at the puhlic expense ; and because school houses are better

public investments than penitentiaries or jails. Tested by this
principle, the result of our experiment, as regards even those
children who have attended, though irregularly, our free schools,
has been anything but encouraging or satisfactory, while as regards
the education, moral and social, of those children, large in num-
ber, for whose training and reformation the free school principle
is justified, tve have failed altogether to bring that particidar class
of children in any ivay at all loithin the restraining influence of our
schools. * * * Q^^i f^ii Qf }iope to accomplish a

certain purpose, namely, the universal education of the young, as
a means of social and moral improvement among that class of
people who, knowing little or nothing of the advantages of edu-
cation, or who cared nothing for such advantages ; but thus far,
I after years of experience, and the expenditure of increasing
j annual thousands of the public money, we have accomplished
! little more than a partial, and by no means a cheerful, recog-
nition of the value of our schools even from those whose chil-

135

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

dren, to a limited extent, do attend our free schools, while the
more numerous, and at the same time more necessitous, class of
children continue to frequent our streets, our lanes and our
Vv^harves, in idle swarms, growing up in ignorance and crime, the
future abundant material for our courts and prisons."

Such was tlie desponding report of the Superintendent in 1857.
Scarcely. twenty years have passed away since then, yet a w^ido
change is visible in our social state. Notwithstanding the period
of depression that for the last two years Toronto, in conomon
with the entire Dominion has undergone, the city enjo^ys a rather
especial immunity from the pesterings of vagrants. Our public
schools are crowded to their very doors, the average attendance
being equal, if not exceeding that of any other city in the Dominion.

In a recent report (1874) the Public School Inspector writes,
" I regret that, notwithstanding the laudable efforts of the
Board to increase the number and capacity of the schools, they
are still quite inadequate for the number of children who desire
to attend them. During the year five new schools were
erected. * * * These schools were all w^ell filled on the
day of opening, without lessening to any apxDreciable degree the
overcrowding of the other schools."

From an analysis of William Brown's City Directory," for
1856-7, we find the following as the numbers engaged in profes-
sions and trades in the city, namely :— Accountants, 18 ; archi-
tects, 11-; artists, 13; bakers, 37 ; bankers, 11; barristers and
solicitors, 108; blacksmiths, 96; boot and shoemakers, 240 ;
builders, 66 ; brewers, 15 ; bricklayers, 91 ; brickmakers, 55 ;
cabinetmakers, 82 ; cabmen and proprietors, [>3 ; carpenters,
496; carters, 137 ; clerks, 119; clergymen of all denominations,
57 ; dressmakers and milliners, 62 ; dry goods merchants and
importers, 103; grocers and provision dealers, 255; lal^orers,
892; painters, 84; printers, 73; tailors, 203; tinsmiths, 37.
This list does not include all the avocations followed in the city,
but it is sufficiently explicit for our present purpose. When
classified it shows of professional persons, 427 ; of mechanical,
1,681 ; and of industrial, other than mechanical, 2^001.

135

HISTORICAL.

CHAPTEE VIII.

Visit of H. B. H. the Prince of Wales to Toronto — His Reception —
Festivities during his Visit — Opening of Queen's Park — Opening
of Horticultural Gardens — Population in 1861 — Sanitary Conditi:n
. of the City — Rumours of intended Fenian Raid — Volunteers called
Out — Queen's Own sent to the Niagara Frontier— Military Move-
ments— The Volun:;pero at Ridgevvay — Supplies sent to the Volun-
teers— The Dead and Wounded brought to the City — Return of
the Volunteers — H. R. H. Prince Arthur's Visi-: to Toronto — Inau-
gurating the Works on the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway —
Opening of the Narrow Guage Railways — The lion. Adam Crooks
— The Procession Riots.

HE year 1860 Vvill long be memorablo in the civic
annals of Canada consequent upon the visit of H. E. IT.
the Prince of Wales. For months the whole country
was in a ferment of expectation, the deep loyoJty of the people
manifesting itself in thousands of v/ays, and ere his arriYal
here, and during his tour through the continent, the exubcrar.t
joy of the Canadians Tvas everywhere shown with a singular
unanimity ; but of all the cities and towns visited by hira hi^
reception in Toronto was the warmest, most spontaneous, hearty
and enthusiastic of any place.

The following account of his reception here is from tho
Ghhc of the 8th of September:—^' The 7th day of September,
1860, will long be cherished as the brightest day in the annals
of Upper Canada. Many a year hence it will be told that on
that day the heir-apparent to the British throne made his public
entry into the chief city of the Western Province, and received
a welcome surpassing in magnificence and enthusiasm all the
public ovations ever before witnessed in the Now AVorld. No pen
could adequately describe the unbounded enthusiasm of the
joyous multitude assembled to greet their future Sovereign on the
banlvs of La.ke Ontario. Nor will anyone who witnessed it ever
recall without thrilling delight the magnificent spectacle pre-

137

TOr.ONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

sented when the Prince stepped from his vessel and took his seat
upon the throne amidst the thundering cheers of the vast con- |
course piled up in the noble amphitheatre around him. The
illimiination of the city at night was a very grand sight, far
surpassing, we believe, any similar demonstration ever witnessed
on the continent. Particular buildings may have been illumi-
nated elsewhere on a grander scale, but as a whole w^e doubt if
the display was ever excelled in America in extent, variety, and i
brilliance of decoration. The Normal Schools, Osgoode Hall,
and the Komaine Buildings were magnihcently decorated, alid
the Globe Buildings, St. Lawrence Hall, the Edinburgh Assu-
rance Company, the St. Nicholas Eestaurant and several other
buildings were illmuinated in splendid style. Many of the arches
erected at prominent points of the city were noble designs, and ,
executed with a degree of artistic taste which must have asto-
nished the illustrious guests who passed under them. The arch
erected at the crest of the noble amphitheatre at the land-
ing will be a lasting monument to the fame of its designer, Mr.
Storm. Fine as were the arches erected at Quebec, Montreal j
and Ottawa, the finest of them could not for a moment enter ^
into competition with it."

The weather during the Prince's visit was extremely unfavour-
able, dark clouds and heavy rains being the accompaniment of
almost every public appearance. During his visit the Prince
w^as the guest of the Lieutenant-Governor, while his suite and
attendants had rooms at the Eossin House. On the 11th of
September he formally opened the Queen's. Park and Horticul-
tural Gardens. Here he planted a young maple tree as a
memorial of his visit, and from its vigorous growth at the pre-
sent time it gives every indication of long remaining a lasting
memorial of the visit of the heir-apparent of the British Crown
to Toronto. Festivities were organised by the Sunday schools,
temperance societies, churches, secret societies, &c., in honour of
the Eoyal visit. Concerts, balls, processions, regattas, followed
each other in quick succ( ssion, all intended to do honour to the
Prince. Nor were the poor forgotten at this time, for on the eve i

I
I

HISTOEICAL.

of the opening of the Park and Gardens a number of gentle-
men contributed funds sufficient for the purchase of an ox, which
was roasted whole, according to the good old English custom,
and then distributed amongst the needy. The Prince took his
departure from Toronto on Wednesday, September 12th, amid
the cheers and hearty good wishes of thousands of citizens who
had assembled to bid him farewell and God speed on his tour
through the Province.

Early in the ensuing year (1861) the Government census returns
were published, and showed the population of the city to be
21,449 males and 22,974 females, making a total of 44,423, being
an increase of 13,672 over 1852, or rather more than 44 per
cent., and over 1856 an increase of 2,665. The number of
empty houses in the city at this time amounted to not less than
800. The increase from 1856 was not so great as had been ex-
pected, but this maybe accounted for from the fact that a period
of depression had intervened, and, further, that the removal of
the seat of Government, together with the greater portion of the
troops formerly stationed here, with their wives and families,
would account for a loss of population of nearly 3,000.

In 1865 four steamers were owned in the city having a gross
tonnage of 1,278 tons, and seven barques with a measurement of
1,728 tons ; the schooners owned by citizens numbered 19, with
2,811 tons measurement. A very large number of yachts and
skiffs were also owned in Toronto.

The year 1866 opened with every sign of prosperity for the
city, but rumours of an intended invasion of Fenians at times
caused some little anxiety among the citizens, though they never
attached much importance to the loud and braggart boastings
of the danger awaiting Canada, which at times appeared in some
of the American prints. The citizens of the Queen City
felt the same confidence as was felt throughout Canada,
being conscious of their ability to quickly remove from Canadian
soil any invaders that might make a temporary landing thereon.

After several false alarms it became known on Thursday after-
noon, May 31st, that the Queen's Own Piegiment of volunteers

139

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

bcail received orders to hold themselves in readiness for service,
and on Friday morning they were des^^atched by the steamer
City of Toronto to Port Colborne, in which vicinity it was
thought their services might be required. Early the same fore-
noon the battery of the Eoyal Horse Artillery left by the Great
Western Eailway for St. Catherines. About noon Her Majesty's
47th Eegiment, then stationed in Toronto, were ordered to the
Great Western Eailway station and also despatched to St.
Catherines, and the 10th Eoyal Volunteers were also despatched
during the afternoon by the same route to St. Catherines. The
excitement in the city was intense when it became known that
the Fenians had crossed the frontier at Fort Erie, opposite
Buffalo, and the generally expressed wish was that the citizen sol-
diers might speedil}^ have the pleasure of driving them off our
soil. The utmost eagerness was displayed by the citizens of all
ranks to assist the authorities by every possible means in pro-
moting the comfort and welfare of the volunteers. A committee
was formed, and a public meeting called to organize a volunteer
relief fund, to assist them and their families in any necessary
manner.

After the departure of the volunteers all kinds of rumours
were flying about the city, and every scrap of news from the
front was greedily seized upon and discussed by the excited
citizens. Never had such excitement been witnessed before, never
had such enthusiastic loyalty been displayed ; all classes vied
with each other in their efforts to promote the desired end — the
punishment of the raiders, and ridding the border of the ruffians
•wlio had for a brief period encamped on Canadian soil. The
rich gave largely of their substance, the poor gave what they
could spare ; young men were disappointed and gloomy who
could not get registered among the volunteers, or get a chance
of being sent to face the enemy. The devotion of Canada's sons
to their country was never more warmly manifested. Young men
flocked from all parts of the United States to offer their services
to the Government, from Chicago alone, at the first alarm, a
number made their way to Toronto, and who formed a company

140

HISTORICAL.

of themselves known as the Chicago Company. The Queen's Own
Eifles, who were sent to the front, deemed themselves very fortmiate
at being selected for the dangerous w^ork, and, on the other hand,
the members of the 10th Eoyais were gloomy and gave vent to
loud complaints at being kept in reserve. As an instance of the
readiness of the citizens to do their part of the work the follow-
ing incident will amply illustrate their loyalty and feelings
towards the volunteers. On Sunday, June 3rd, it was rumoured
that the Queen's Own Volunteers, then near Kidgew^ay, would
shortly be in want of provisions. A few citizens became aware
of the fact during the forenoon. A meeting was promptly called,
citizens were detailed to canvass among merchants and others
for supplies, and at two o'clock the steamer City of Toronto
sailed with the following free offerings of the merchants contri-
buted in two or three hours time, viz. : 2 barrels of sugar, 2
barrels of pork, 1 barrel of tobacco, 8 boxes of tobacco, 2 boxes
of sundries, 9 boxes of cigars, 19J boxes of biscuits, 16 barrels
of biscuits, 41 barrels of bread, 9 boxes of cheese, 5 sides of
bacon, 6 tons of hams, 2 chests of tea, 1 case of matches, 3
cases of brandy, 2 cases of gin, 5 hogsheads of ale, 1 case of
glasses, 6 rolls of spiced bacon, 9 rolls of dried beef, 1 box of
butter-, 3 cases of coffee, a very large quantity of fresh meat
(about five tons), bacon, medicine, splints and surgical instru-
ments. The whole was given in charge of Messrs. C. W. Bun-
ting, John Boyd and John Leys, members of the Committee, and
for hours after the steamer had left the wharf, citizens poured
down Yonge street, bringing with them their contributions in
quantities sufficient to have supplied a small army. The prompt
response by the citizens to the supposed wants of the volunteers
showed the deep sympathy felt by all in Toronto with the brave
fellows who had so gallantly and so readily gone out to defend
their homes against the miscreant crew, who had poured out of
the Avorst purlieus of the great cities and towns of the States.
During the evening of this eventful Sabbath it became known
throughout the city that on her return trip the steamer would
bring back the dead and wounded from the affray at Eidgeway.

141

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESF.NT.

The Glohr thus describes the scene The vessel was ex-
133cted to reach Yonge street wharf about 9.30 p.m. Long before
that hour, however, a continuous stream of people from every
quarter of the city poured along our principal streets towards
the foot of Yonge street, the steamer's landing place. A com-
mon impulse seemed to influence the public mind. Every inha-

/ bitant seemed to experience an incumbent duty to render to the
dead and wounded representatives of our brave volunteers an
unmistakable tribute of sympathy and gratitude. Pdch and
paor, vigor and infirmity, budding youth and venerable old age,
were each and all represented in the dense crowd which occupied
eveiy available standpoint of the approaches to the wharf on
which the vessel was to deposit our dead and maimed citizen

I soldiers. Owing to unavoidable delay and an adverse wind the
steamer did not reach her landing so early as was expected.
Towards nine o'clock, however, several hearses, and stretchers
borne by soldiers of the 47th Regiment, were brought to the
wharf. A company of volunteers guarded the entrance to the
wharf. The police were actively engaged in keeping back the
more eager and curious of the crowd, while severa;l members of
the medical profession were in ready attendance to render an}^
service in their power to the wounded passengers. Before ten
o'clock she hove in sight, and shortly after came to her moor-
ings. We immediately went on boards and a sorry spectacle

I met our gaze. At one end of the vessel lay arranged together
the rough coffins enclosing the dead. Near the other, laid on
couches and shakedowns, tenderly and thoughtfully cared for,
were the wounded. No word of complaint escaped them as
they were severally removed by strong arms and feeling hearts
to the cab or the stretcher as their case might require. Ten
were severely wounded, and were carefully sent to the hospital ;
the remainder were sent to their respective homes. While the
wounded were being thus disposed of the dead were deposited in
hearses and carried to their several destinations. The coffins in
which they were enclosed were formed of rough pine timber, the
ji'.ime of the sleeping occupant being chalked on the cover.

T42

HISTORICAL.

The names of the dead brought to the city were McEachren,
gnsign ; Alderson, Tempest, Mackenzie, Defries, one remains
unknown and unidentified. Mewburn was sent to his father's
house at Stamford on the way. The wounded were Captain
Boustead, Ensign Fahey, Kingsford, Bobbins, Vandersmissen,
C. Patterson, T. Winter, Lackay, A. Elliott, J. Oulster, John
White and McHardy, two being too ill to be removed being left
behind." It is unnecessary on our part to attempt to eulogise
the conduct of our volunteers in the action with the Fenians,
wherein the above mentioned met with their death and their
wounds. Suffice it to say tha,t they entered into action with a
keen steadiness worthy of veteran soldiers ; and it was evident,
had it not been for somebody's blunder, they would have dis-
persed or captured the ruffian horde. The official report of
Colonel Booker, who was the officer in command, gives the facts
as follows :

Sir, — I have the honor to report that in accordance with
instructions received from Colonel Peacock through Captain
Akers I proceeded by train at 5 a.m. to-da}^ to Eidgeway Station
on the Buffalo and Lake Huron Eailroad with the Queen's Own
of Toronto, Major Gilmour, and 480 men of all ranks ; the York
Eifles, Captain Dennis ; the Caledonian Eiiles, Captain Jackson ;
and the 13th Battalion of Hamilton — together about 360 men —
total of all ranks, say about 840 men, in order to form a junction
with Colonel Peacock at Stevensville at 9 to 9.30 a.m. On
arriving at Eidgeway I sent the Great Western Eailway train
away, and as I could not obtain a horse and waggon in the place
for the conveyance of the force I was compelled to leave without
the stores, and sent them back to Port Colborne at a little before
8 a.m. We -were feeling our way on the Stevensville road and
v/ere about three miles from that village when our advance guard
felt the enemy. Major Gilmour extended the Queen's Own in
skirmishing order in admirable style — the men advancing in
good spirit. They were supported and relieved as required by
the Battalion of Hamilton and the rifle companies of York and
C.iledouia. After Major Gilmour had expended much ammuni-

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

tion he reported to me that his ammunition was failing. At 9.30
after being engaged under a hot fire for an hour and an half, I
observed the enemy throwing back his right and reinforcing his
left flank. I immediately ordered up two companies in support
to counteract this movement. At this moment I received a tele-
gram from the hands of Mr. Storrer, Welland Bailway, on the
field, informing me that Colonel Peacock could not leave Chip-
pewa before 7 o'clock instead of 5 a.m., the hour named by
Akers on his behalf. The enemy was strongly posted in the
woods on the west of the Garrison road, the road forming the
entrance as it were to a cul cle sac. We outflanked him when he
brought up his centre reserves and outflanked us. We drove
them in the first place over a mile, and held possession of the
rifle pits. A cry of cavalry from the front, and the retreat of a
number of men in our centre on the reserves caused me to form
a square and prepare to receive cavalry. This mista^ke originated
from relieved skirmishers doubling back. I immediately re-
formed column, and endeavoured to deploy to the right. A panic
here seized our men, and I could not bring them again to the
front. I regret to say we have lost several valuable officers and
men. I estimated the strength of the enemy as greater than
ours, and from the rapid firing they were evidently armed with
repeating rifles.

**I have, &c,,

" (Signed) A. Booker,
Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Volunteer Militia.'*
On the return of the city volunteers they w^ere received with
the utmost enthusiasm by the citizens. The following account
of their arrival is from the local press of June 19, 1866: — " The
gallant battalion (Queen's Own) reached this city about 4 o'clock
in the afternoon, and met with a noble reception, as may be
imagined, by every one who has witnessed the enthusiastic admi-
ration excited by their gallant conduct only two short weeks ago.
Some idea of the eagerness of the citizens to do them honor
may be gathered from the fact that an immense number of
people, of whom a large proportion were ladies, stood at the

144

I
!

HISTORICAL.

Grand Trunk Station in a cold rain for nearly two hours, the
train being .delayed beyond the time fixed for its arrival. It
came at last, however, about 4 o'clock, with the looked for sol-
diers, who were greeted with round after round of cheers and
waving of handkerchiefs by the fair sex. The Upper Canada
College company, wdth their officers, Captain Fuller, Lieutenant
Wilson, and Ensign Murray, were drawn up on the platform and
IDresented arms when the train came in. A procession was then
formed, Captain Button's troop of Markham Cavalry taking the
lead. The Mayor aiid members of the City Corporation followed^
the band of the 47th came next, and the Queen's Own with the
York and Caledonia companies brought up the rear. In this order
they marched to the drill shed, the splendid band of the 47th
playing ' God Save the Queen,' ' See the Conquering Hero
Comes,' ' The British Grenadiers,' and other inspiriting airs
amid the continued cheering of the citizens who surrounded and
followed the procession. Despite the most unpropitious weather,
with heavy' rain and muddy streets, such of the citizens as heard
of the arrival of the volunteers were determined to do them
honor, and they did so in a style most enthusiastic. The bells
rang out a joyful peal, every piece of bunting in the city w^as
displayed, making the streets gay with flags and streamers, and
the citizens turned out by thousands. York, King and Sinicoe
streets — along the line of procession — w^ere as completely
blocked up by crowds of pedestrians and crowds of ladies in
carriages as though the Mayor had proclaimed a general holi-
day— something which he regretted being unable to do, not
having had intimation of the intended arrival of the volunteers
till the day was too far advanced to issue such a proclamation.
The balconies of the houses along the route, and, indeed, all the
available standpoints, w^ere crowded with spectators, who cheered
again and again as the men marched past to the drill slied.
Here the platform was already well filled with ladies and gentle-
men, and their number w^as soon added to by the Mayor and
Corporation. General Napier, Dr. McCaul, and the Belief Com-
mittee occupied the front seats. On the right of the platforn^

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

the tiiii'l biittiilion of volunteers, and on tlie left the Chicago
Volunteers, in fail uniform, and the Cobourg Eifles, v:ei^e dra\yn
up in line with j)r3sented arms. The Queen's Own and York and
Caledonia companies moved up the centre of the shed on their
arrival, and were again frequently cheered. The Queen's Own
wore their knapsacks and full marching equipments, with their
blankets disposed around them sashwise, and with various addi-
tions in the shape of Fenian trophies^ One of the boys had a
larcye tin kettle which he had carried off as a remembrance from
Lime Eidge, and which he held on to most determina'tely. The
officers having advanced to the front and saluted. General
Napier arose and addressed them, expressing his pleasure at
meeting them on their return home after so short but decisive a
campaign. Alluding to the conduct of the Queen's Own and
the loch Battalion he said, 'had the advance been sounded in-
stead of the retreat you would single-handed have driven the
Fen'.ans before you that day. I may also take the opportunity
of stauiui? that althouojh from unforseen circumstances the mili-
tary did not come up in time to help you on that occasion, there
is yet no feeling of envy amongst them — they are proud that the
voinnteers should have been engaged in repelling the invasion.'
To show the feeling animating the men the General instanced
the case of a youth named McKenzie, who, when lying sick
from his wounds at St. Catharines, on being pitied for being
under fiie so young, replied that he was a man — he was sixteen
years old — and was ready to fight again the moment he got well.
Continuing, General Napier added, ' with this spirit animating
mere youths I need hardly say that let the enemy be who he
may, he has no chance of conquering Canada.' "

The 10th Eoyals Regiment also arrived in Toronto the same
night, but in consequence of the lateness of their arrival, and it
not being generally known that they were coming, they were not
met with the same demonstrations as were their comriides in
arms of the Queen's Own.

The sanitary condition of the city at this time began to
attract the attention of our city fathers; after the outbreak of

146

HISTORICAL.

the cholera in 184^) life puiid vigor had been infused into this
department of the City Councirs work. New sewers were con-
etructed, new drains built, inspection was occasionally made, but
in a few years the sanitary affairs of the city began to be ne-
glected and no attention paid to its wants or requirements, until
in 1866 the miserable drainage, bad air, bad water, filth, dirt and
refuse of the worst kind appeared to invite disease. The state of
one of the streets in the very centre of the city was thus described,
"You enter a house from the front door and find yourself in a
room twelve by fourteen feet, in which are huddled together, as
if they are frightened to look on their fellow-creatures, a man,
five women, three boys, and a couple of young specimens of the
genus homo in arms. The stove is almost reddened with heat,
the room is fumigated with fumes of the mid-day meal, which is
in course of preparation, the walls are so black that one would
think sable was their original colour, and on the back door being
opened to admit one to the yard, the stench from the pig pen
within three feet of the back door, is so foul that you could cut
it with a knife. In another yard we have a pig pen four feet six
inches square, with a couple of feet thick with offal, filth, dung
and manure, and no less than five pigs lying snorting and
snoring within it. Going further down the same street the
visitor sees in every yard and closet the same accumulations.
Near Nelson street, on the south side of Stanley street, we have
a house, the rear room of which is occupied by a brigade of pigs.
The next room (with a doorway between the two) a few feet from
this nest of filth, the residents of the house use as a cooking,
eating and sleeping room. Just fancy the sickening odour of a
pig pen curling through the cracks of the door and winding
around the kitchen stove and dinner table ! " Near the corner
of George and Duchess streets " we have a sink of death and
disease in a place called Bethune's Lane or Fish Alley, where, in
a former year, during the heavy rage of cholera, every resident
was afiiicted, and the dead cart a daily visitant. This lane con-
tains nine apologies for houses, and is inhabited by about fifty
souls. There are no back yards to these miserable hovels, and

TOrtONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

slo s, filth and dirt are thrown out in front of the doors. At
one end of the lane the necessary is in a fearful state, and it is
credibly believed that a well, situated a short distance from it,
receives the sewage, and that it was to residents drinking this
water in 1854 the severe attack of cholera in that quarter was
attributed."

Pine street is another bad street in the city for cow pens, and
■'in these there is not the slightest attempt at cleanliness.
Quoen street, east of Parliament, is another locale of pig pens
and cow sheds, and on Queen street, opposite Cooke's Church,
can be seen a dwelling house, the cellar of which is used as a
stable for three cows and a horse, and the effluvia from which
must find its way into the rooms above, occupied by human
beings. Coming further west an examination of the premises
within eyesight of the City Hall will show how dilatory those
whose duty it is to inspect the city have been in their duties. In
the rear of the buildings on Palace street, where decent citizenn
are supposed to live, will be found overloaded necessaries, and
filth of every kind, which ought to put decent men to shame.
Take a glance at the western part of the city, and in the rear of
buildings on the west side of York street, betv/een Eichmond and
Adelaide streets, the same stoi:y will be found of filthy places.
Walk as far as Dummer street. Look in the rear of Dead-
beat Lane and " Whiskey Alley," and go through a passage three
feet wide, and have a look at Hole in the Wall." In this
latter, which is situate on the west side of Dummer street, we
find ourselves in a room eight by ten feet, the entrance being by
a half door, and the light coming through an old fashioned case-
ment window, which has not been cleaned since the building
was erected fifteen years ag6. In one corner is a dilapidated
looking stove, with a pot full of dirty water, attempting to boil
by the feeble aid of a few hardwood chips. On a chair minus a
leg and back, is seated a youth about ten years of age, half clad
and holding two benumbed hands over the flickering embers of
the half -lighted cliips ; a little girl is nestling in a corner of the
room on a quantity of dirty straw, half covered with a torn

148

HISTORICAL.

counterpane, and both are anxiously awaiting the return of their
mother, who is out begging a morsel; their father is an inmate
of the gaol, and when he is not working for the good of the
city he is sawing wood for any citizen who will give him a job.

If the east end of the city can claim the premium for dirt,
filth, cow sheds and pig pens, the west certainly can follow close
in its wake. Eenfrew street, around St. Patrick's Market,
Maple Lane, near Phoebe Street school house, where hundreds of
children are daily congregated ; Grog Lane, Centre Street, and
some parts of Brock Street, v/ere also named as being in a dis-
' graceful condition.

On Saturday, the 2nd of October, 1869, His Eoyal Highness
Prince Arthur, amid the peal of bells, firing of cannon, cheers
of the populace, and general enthusiasm and rejoicing, arrived
at Toronto. Nine years previously the Prince of Wales had
visited Toronto, and he was greeted with a reception such as
never before had been accorded to any visitor to the capital of
Western Canada, but now the young Prince was received with
even greater demonstrations cf public favor and public joy.
Since the last preceding Eoyal visit the city had grown wealthier
and larger, and freely did the citizens s^Dend of their wealth in
giving a loyal greeting to a popular son of a beloved Sovereign.
His progress from the Depot to the City Hall was one continued
popular ovation, so earnest, so hearty, so wildly joyful, that the
Prince himself at last could not restrain his feelings.

Some slight idea of the enthusiastic progress of Prince
Arthur through the city may be gathered from the following ex-
tract from the Globe of Monday, October 4th, 1869: — " Just at
starting a great rush was made for the Prince's carriage, but
was checked by the mounted bodyguard, and the Prince
graciously acknowledged the people's enthusiasm and smilingly
raised his hat, and looked pleasantly around, and the cheer grew
to a roar, which continued almost without ceasing as far as the
second arch on the route. As the Prince passed the arch on the
corner of Queen and Yonge streets one deafening cheer was
raised, which was taken up by the people on King street west

149

TOKOiNTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

and echoed by the multitude on Yonge street north and King
street east, tliousands of handkerchiefs waving, hats and caps
tossed into the air, flags frantically bobbing up and down, here
gave a new and more enthusiastic character to the scene. The
Prince at this point appeared considerably moved by the
spectacle, and, turning the corner of King and Yonge streets,
thoughtfully regarded the signs of welcome, so abundantly visible
in each direction from this point, with much apparent surprise
and admiration. Coming to the Globe office — whieh was perhaps
for profusion, number, and appropriateness of decorations and
inscriptions the most attractive spot in the city, and faced by *
the establishment of Messrs. Walkers (" The Golden Lion ")
which, if not so appropriately decorated, at least showed an
extraordinarily attractive display — there was a momentary stop-
page, and the pause was seized upon by the crowd to cheer and
cheer again, till the Prince almost laughed outright with excess
of pleasure. * * * procession neared the Cathe-

dral the chimes rang out the National Anthem. The effect was
magical; hats wwe removed and many eyes were wet with
honest tears of affection and memories of the dear old home
beyond the seas, and the Prince himself, after a vain but per-
fectly visible attempt to control his feelings gave way to the scene
and appeared perfectly overcome. The balconies of St. Law^-
rence Hall were crowded dangerously, and the cheering at this
point was very great. At the south-east corner of the Market
square the Fire Brigade with their engines were drawn up in
extended order on either side of the road, and as His Eoyal
Highness passed three mighty cheers were raised which could
only come from British throats. Facing the City Hall "were
two companies of the Queen's Own as a bodyguard, and here
the Prince descended from his carriage. * * * From the
City Hall he went to the Government House, amidst the same
scenes, and received with the same warm greetings as on his pro-
gress to the City Hall." It is said that upwards of 50,000 per-
sons were on the streets along the route of the procession to the
Government House.

150

IIISTOEICAL.

An event of no little importance, tending to promote the com-
mercial prosperity of the city, was inaugurated by the Prince,
namely, the cutting of the first sod of the Toronto, Grey and
Bruce Eailway. This took place at Weston on Tuesday, the 5th
of October, and here an incident took place quite characteristic
of Prince Arthur's manliness. He had been asked to cut the
first sod of the new railway, which he consented to do. On his
arrival at Weston a beautifully silver plated spade was presented
to him, and a small square sod, wdiich had previously been cut
and placed in position, in the centre of which was a miniature
Union Jack, Avas pointed out to him. Placing the spade under
the sod it was quickly transferred to a very handsome barrow
beside him. After completing this slight task he looked for a
moment wistfully at the crowd surrounding him, and again
seizing the sj)ade drove it into the bright green turf, intending
to cut out a sod hinaself, but the turf was tough and hard, the
spade also was more ornamental than useful, and though he
worked with his hands for a few moments with right good will, the
turf showed no signs of yielding, until at last a Weston farmer,
who was standing near by, said, " Use your feet, Prince, use
your feet, and it will come all right." Laughingly, the Prince
took the hint, and using his feet in good navvy-like fashion soon
drove the spade through the* turf, and cut a sod worthy of a
regular laborer, which, lifting into the barrow, he swiftly
wheeled to its appointed place. Thus did he inaugurate one
of the first narrow gauge railways in the Province ; a railway
which has opened out a new and rich district to the city mer-
chants, and placed within easy reach of the farmers, through a
large section of country, a ready market for their grain and
other produce.

The road was opened to Orangeville, a distance of forty-nine
miles from the city, on the 3rd of November, 1871, amidst the
congratulations of the citizens. During the fall of this same
year the Toronto and Nipissing Eailway was also opened as far
as Uxbridge. These two narrow gauge railways have un-
doubtedly done much to increase the trade of the city.

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

In the general election of members for the second parliament
of the Ontario Legislature the Hon. Adam Crooks was first
returned to the House of Assembly as member for West Toronto,
and who, by his talents and sterling integrity, soon commended
himself to the leaders of the Eeform party in the Local House,
and upon the defeat of the Sand.field Macdonald administration
Mr. Crooks accepted the ofEce of Provincial Secretary in the
Blake-Mackenzie ministry. He afterwards became Provincial
Treasurer, and on the re-arrangement of the Educational De-
partment of the Province he .became the first Minister of Edu-
cation for the Province of Ontario, which portfolio he now holds
along with that of Provincial Treasurer.

During the years 1872, 1873 and 1874 the city enjoyed a
most remarkable cycle of prosperity in all branches of trade and
commerce, the population increasing about twelve thousand
and the assessments of the city property rising from $32,467,772
to $43,462,512 ; some of the finest churches and other build-
ings in the city being erected during this period.

The city was the scene of considerable rioting during Sunday
afternoon, September 26th and October 4th, arising from a pro-
cession of the Eoman Catholics in celebration of the Jubilee.
It appears that once every twenty-five years the Pioman Catholic
Church holds a jubilee, but in consequence of the disturbed
state of Europe in 1850 no jubilee was held by the Church.
Formerly one of the conditions to gain Jubilee indulgences was
to visit Kome, but in this year the Pope announced that indul-
gences would be given to any one visiting four different churches
on hree consecutive Sundays in procession with three other
parishes. In Toronto two of the parishes performed the requi-
site procession or pilgrimage in July last without molestation.
The other three parishes, St. Basil's, St. Patrick's and St.
Paul's, postponed the pilgrimage on account of the heat of the
weather. They had their processions arranged for the same
three Sundays, and the first of these took place on the 19th of
September and passed off without any disturbance. The second
took place on the 26th, when the Jubilee procession in connec-

^52

HISTORICAL.

tion with St. Paul's parish, on returning from St. Patrick's
Chapel on William street, was met at the intersection of Queen
street and Spadina avenue with a shower of stones from a
large crowd of thoughtless young men and women. The
police made a dash at the assailants and drove them off, but
throughout the line of march from here to St. Mary's Church
on Bathurst street, stone throwing was continued. Almost the
whole of the police, consisting of detachments from Stations
Nos. 1 and 2, were wounded. A very strong feeling was aroused
by this proceeding, the Eoman Catholics insisting upon their
right to walk in public procession, while, on the other side,
the Orangemen of the city met in public meeting, and called
upon the Mayor to prevent the procession taking place
the following Sabbath, but the Mayor had no power to do
so, though he requested the Archbishop to countermand the
procession, as he could not guarantee to keep the peace. On
Sunday, the 3rd of October, a section of the Eoman Catholic
pilgrims assembled at St. Paul's Church, Power street, and
having formed a procession, marched up to St. Michael's Cathe-
dral by way of Queen street. The x^i'ocession included a large
number of women. They, however, carried no banners, flags, or
regalia' of any kind, and marched along in the most quiet and
inoffensive manner.

A vast crowd had collected outside the Cathedral, and the pil-
grims were allowed to enter without any hindrance. While the
procession was in the Cathedral the entire police force, under
the command of Major Draper, the Chief Constable, was draw
up at the entrance to the Cathedral. About half-past three ti .
procession left the Cathedral, and, headed by a squad of police,
moved along Shuter street amid the yells and hootings of the
large mob. Just as the foremost ranks reached the corner of
Church and Queen streets a perfect volley of stones came upon
them from Queen street. A halt was made, the police charging
upon the rioters, who were soon driven off. This was repeated
several times before the procession made any further progress.
The procession moved down Church street to Adelaide street,

153

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

where stones were incessantly thrown, and at the corners of Bay,
Brock and Bathurst streets the same scenes occurred, but at the
latter place the riot assumed the most serious aspect ; revolvers
were freely used, the fight between the police and the crowd
being kept up for a considerable time.

The police, during the whole time the processionists were
passing along the streets, sustained the brunt of the fight with
the opposing crowd, and though more than half the entir? force
were severely wounded, yet their coolness, bravery and self-
restraint excited the admiration of all spectators. Though the
riots were a disgrace to the city it is a matter for congratulation
that mob law did not prevail, for, though under difficulty, the
pilgrimage was made from and to the points intended.

The year 1875 was marked by considerable commercial depres-
sion, the prosperity of the city being, for the moment, oversha-
dowed by the commercial failures in all parts of the Dominion,
and the general stagnation of trade in all branches being
severely felt by the working classes, who thus found their usual
income much lessened, and in many cases privation and suffer-
ing was the result, but in this hour of trial the wealthy gave of
their abundance to assist the needy, and thus much distress was
alleviated. Though Toronto felt the great wave of trade d'epres-
sion, which swept, not alone over the Dominion of Canada, but
almost over the entire civilised world, the effects were not so
much felt as in most other cities and towns on the Continent.
The trade failures, depreciation of property of all kinds, closing
of works, manufactories, &c., were not so great proportionably
in Toronto as in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and
other cities in tlie United States, or as in Montreal or Quebec in
Canada.

It must be a matter of deep congratulation to all lovers of law
and order to find that, notwithstanding the increased want and
privation caused by the dulness of trade, that the criminal sta-
tistics of the city showed a decrease in the number of prisoners
committed during the year, as also a decrease of crime, the
number of prisoners committed to gaol being eighty-four less

154

HISTORICAL.

than in the preceding year, added to which another cause of
congratulation is afforded in the large increase in the attend-
ance of children at the public schools.

No better evidence of the improved moral tone of the city can
be afforded than these few facts. When it is remembered that the
number of committals to gaol in this city twenty years ago were
nearly as many in number as during the past year, the citizens
of the Queen City may look forward to the future with bright
hopes that with the clearing away of the present cloud the future
prospects of the city will be more solid, more rapid, and more
real ; and it is satisfactory to know that even now indications are
abundant of returning prosperity. Business men, merchants
and manufacturers speak of having better returns and a more
healthful feeling. The demand for labour of all kinds is becom-
ing more active. New buildings are springing up, new works
are opening, and on all sides the near approach of renewed pros-
perity for the Queen City is abundant — a prosperity that appears
destined ere long to place her in trade and commerce as the
very first city of the Dominion.

155

TOPOGRAPHICAL.

TOPOQRAPHICAL,

ORONTO, the Queen City of the West, capital of
Ontario, and one of the most flourishing and popu-
lous cities in the Dominion of Canada, is situate on
a gently- sloping plain on the northern shore of Lake Ontario,
340 miles west-south-west of Montreal, 500 miles from Quebec,
38 miles from the mouth of the Niagara Eiver, and 500 miles
from New York. It is in latitude 43° 49' 4" north, and longitude
79° 71' 5" west, or five hours, seventeen minutes and twenty se-
conds slower time than at Greenwich, England., A handsome bay
forms the southern front or' boundary of the city, and is entered
by a narrow opening at the western end about half a mile in
width, and is separated from the lake by a semi-circular island,
running for about three miles in front of the city, enclosing a
beautiful basin about a mile and a half in diameter, forming
a safe and well sheltered harbour, capable of containing a
large number of vessels.

Though not picturesque, the situation of the city is very
pleasing and agreeable, and peculiarly favorable to commerce,
comfort and health. The site is somewhat low, but rises gently
from the water's edge, the observatory, about a mile distant from
the lake, being 108 feet above the water level, and Bloor street,
two miles distant, being over 140 feet above the level of the lake.
The city generally is built of white brick of a soft and pleasing
tint, but very freely intermingled with structures of stone, iron
and granite. Its streets are spacious, well laid out, regularly
built, and cross each other at right angles, some almost running
parallel with the Bay, and intersected with others which have a
north and south direction, inclining slightly to the west, the
whole forming nearly a parallelogram. The principal streets
running east and west in the denser portions of the city are
Front, Wellington, King, Eichmond, Adelaide and Queen streets,

'57

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

and the cross streets, running north from the Bay, are Yonge,
Church, Jarvis, Bay, York and Simcoe streets. The two main
thoroughfares of the city are King and Yonge streets, which
divide it into four large sections. King street runs from the
eastern limits of the city to the western portion, where it is
blocked by the Crystal Palace grounds, a distance of over four
miles. It is sixty-six feet wide, and well built up with substan-
tial brick and stone buildings, some of them equal to any on the
American continent. Some of them, such as those of ^lessrs.
E. Walker and Sons, and John Kay, in drygoods ; Hay's furni-
ture warehouse. Hunter's photographic establishment; Mason,
Risch and Newcombe's piano warehouse, and others, for variety
and value of stock, elegant show rooms, fittings, &c., and
extei'nal appearance, rival those of Eegent street, London,
England.

Yonge street runs from the Bay almost due north to Holland
Landing, Lake Simcoe, a distance of over thirty miles. The
lower portion of the street from the Bay to King street is com-
posed almost exclusively of warehouses, banks, &c., while above
King street, to the northern limits of the city (a distance of
over two miles) it is almost an unbroken line of retail shops of
every description, and is perhaps the busiest business street in
the city. It is the great leading thoroughfare of the north,
giving to the farmers, on th^ rich lands laying between the
two lakes, direct access to the chief shipping point of Ontario.
Front and Wellington streets are mainly built up with wholesale
houses of every description. Queen street is the main artery of
the city from the western districts, and for upwards of three
miles is closely built up with stores and private dwellings.
Many of the streets occupied by the private dwellings of
the merchants and the business men of the city present a
very pleasing and attractive appearance. Such streets as
Jarvis, Sherbourne, Church, Simcoe, Wilton Crescent, Ger-
rard, Carlton, Weilesley, and others, being mainly built uj) with
fine blocks or detached villas, and in almost every instance they
are fronted or surrounded with garden lots carefully cultivated

158

TOPO G R Ar III C AL .

and protected from the street tlioronglifare by ornaraental
rciilings of iron or wood. Outside of these is a wide sidewalk,
along which runs a strip of grass plot from six to twelve feet
wide, protected from the roadway by posts, with suspended
chains, being placed at equal distances along the length of
the street. This arrangement, with the shade trees planted
along the sidewalks, gives to many of the streets of the city
a "boulevard" appearance, and affords a- pleasant promenade
to visitors and residents during the summer months.

Many of the private dwellings of the citizens are quite
palatial in their outward aspect and their interior structure.
The warehouses, financial institutions, and public buildings are
of remarkably substantial workmanship, and many of them
exceedingly beautiful in architectural design. In fact, few, if
any, cities on the American continent can boast of finer build-
ings devoted to business purposes than such as the Custom
House, Post Office, the warehouses ofi John Macdonald, Thomas
May and Co., Lyman Bros, and Co., British America Insurance
office, the Toronto Bank, and the Bank of Ontario. -

But the especial pride and glory of Toronto is in her
churches and educational institutions, for, compared with cities
of similar age and population, she stands acknowledging no
rival. She boasts of eighty churches, many of them, such
as St. James's Episcopal Cathedral, Metropolitan Methodist
Church, new St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Jarvis street
Baptist Church and St. Michael's Eoman Catholic Cathedral,
are magnificent specimens of church architecture, and monu-
iiients of Christian munificence. In her educational establish-
ments Toronto stands second to none on this side of the Atlantic,
the University College buildings being one of the finest and most
imposing specimens of massive Norman architecture in America,
and the Normal School buildings and grounds being one of the
most attractive spots in the city. The assessed value of the
churches, religious and educational institutions of the city is over
five millions of dollars.

Numerous charitable and religious institutions are also to

159

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

be found in all parts of the city. It is the seat of law and Pro-
vincial Government, and the head-quarters of the Educational
Department of Ontario. The principal buildings in connection
with these departments are handsome structures, the internal
finish and arrangement of Osgoode Hall, especially, being
remarkably fine. It is also the headquarters of the princi-
pal financial institutions of the Province. The head offices of
nine banks, with an aggregate capital of $15,000,000, and
having eighty-one branches (in the Province and United
States) are situate here, and there are also six branches of
banks having head offices in other cities. Ten insurance com-
panies (eight fire and marine and two life) have their .head offices
here, some of them transacting a very extensive business in the
United States. Eleven building and investment societies,
with an aggregate capital of $5,000,000, and having over
$10,000,000 assets, also have their homes in Toronto, The
total capital of the local banks, insurance companies, building
and loan societies exceeds $25,000,000.

The manufacturing interests of the city are varied. Several
extensive iron and stove foundries, engineering establishments,
car building works, piano and organ factories, paper mills, car-
riage factories, soap works, boot and shoe factories, breweries,
spice mills, a woollen mill, the largest cabinet factory in
the Dominion, and the largest distillery in the world, are
situate here. Toronto is rapidly becoming the literary metro-
polis of the Dominion : over forty newspapers and periodicals
are published within its limits, namely, four daily and fifteen
weekly, the rest monthly, semi-monthly, or quarterly, its daily
press circulating throughout the entire Dominion, and exerting
considerable influence in the political, commercial and social
community. Some of the largest and most enterprising pub-
lishers on the continent carry on their business in Toronto.

Five lines of railways run into the city, connecting with all
places of importance on the American continent, and other lines
are now in process of construction. First class passenger
steamers also run during the season to all the principal

i6o

TOPOGRAPHICAL.

points on the lake and ports on the St. Lawrence Eiver. At
present Toronto has within its limits 359 public streets, contain-
ing about 240 miles of sidewalks, upwards of 14,000 private
and public ))uildings, with a population of near 70,000 souls.
The ratable assessments of the city property for the present
year amount to over $56,000,000.

Though young in years, Toronto is vigorous in its growth,
exteuding its borders on all sides, and rapidly undergoing a
transformation which is fast placing it in the foremost rank
of cities noted for their wealth and beauty. New streets, with
larger, handsomer, and more costly buildings, are rapidly
springing up ; stone and granite structures are replacing those
of frame and brick ; and evidences of improvement in new
buildings, streets, roadways and parks, are seen in all
directions. New parks are being laid out, streets are being
converted into boulevards, so that with each successive sea-
son Toronto is becoming more and more worthy of its royal
and proud designation of Queen City of the West.

i6i

CLIMATE.

CtljVlATE.

LTHOUGH the temperature of Toronto is colder than
the normal temperature of this parallel, the climate is
remarkably pleasant and salubrious, ameliorated, no
doubt considerably, by the equalising influence of the great
lake which bounds us on the south. The mean temperature for
the six months commencing with April, and including our
warmest summer months, is four and a half degrees below the
average temperature of the same six months in the same
parallel of latitude, while the other six months, in which are in-
cluded our coldest winter months, are nine and a half degrees
below the normal temperature of the parallel, making an ave-
rage of six degrees colder than the normal temperature, taking
the entire year round. The mean temperature, as furnished by
the Observatory from 1840 to 1876 inclusive, was 44*07 degrees.
The greatest heat has not exceeded 100 degrees in the shade ;
the cold has been known to descend as low as twenty-five
degrees below zero, but only at very long intervals (once in
1865). It seldom descends lower than twenty degrees below
zero, and then for a very brief period. The atmosphere is pure
and transparent, free from sultry oppressive heat in our warmest
summer months, and from raw, humid frigidity in winter.

After the hottest days of summer the evening air is fresh and
genial. There is nothing, perhaps, which so soon or so deeply
impresses the stranger from Great Britain on his first arrival
among us as the purity of the atmosphere, the deep azure of
our morning sky, or the soft and silvery brilliancy of our moon-
light. When it draws towards the end of October the foliage of
the shade trees in our streets and avenues changes its summer
hues and assumes the most brilliant autumnal tints, and then it
is that we see Nature in her richest and most glorious dress —

163

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

yellow, red, green, purple and brown, in varied shades, are all
sweetly blended, imparting to our woodland scenery a most
peculiar charm. The Indian summer, that mystic period so sacred
to the legends of our country, comes on ai^ace. Thename " Indian
Summer " is given to a few days, generally about the beginning
of November, which are characterised by a soft and balmy
atmosphere of a peculiar hazy cast. The fine, golden-fringed,
opal-tinted clouds, which surround the sun as he sinks below the
horizon on a summer night, lose their brilliant transparency,
and are changed by the haze of the atmosphere into a dull
orange color. Sometimes they have the appearance of layers of
strata ranged one above another, and so finely and delicately
pencilled, that but for the rays of the setting sun striking upon
t^pm through the soft haze they could not be discerned. There
is nothing positive in connection with the Indian summer. It
may occur in some years very markedly, and in others so much
less so as scarcely to be appreciable ; and had not the name
been established and surrounded with many pleasing fancies of
the aborigines would pass by unnoticed.

Temperature.

1875.

1874.

1873.

Average of
35 years.

Extremes.

Mean tempera- 1
ture of the year J

4077

44'30

42-94

44-08

46-36 in '46

40-77 in 1875

V/armest month ...
Mean tempera- ~j

July

July, 1868

Aug. i860

ture of warm- ■
est month )

66-57

67-86

68-36

67-42

75-80

64-46

Coldest month
Mean tempera- ^

February

January

February

Feb. 1875

Feb. 1848

ture of coldest -

10-16

22-84

17-70

22-90

10-16

26-60

Mean tempera- 1

July 4

June 23

June ig

Jiily 14, '68

July 31, 1844

ture of warm- ]-
est day )

74'25

78-03

75-68

7773

84-50
( Feb. 6, \

7275

Coldest day

Dec. 19

Jan. 30

Jan. 29

1 1856;

Dec. 22, '42

Mean tempera-

j Jan. 22,

i 1857 )
-14-38

ture of coldest [
day j

-8-33

i'i3

—575

— 1-40

9'57

Date of highest )
temperature ... [

July 26

August 12

June 19

Aug. 24, '54

Aug. 19, '40

Highest tempera- )
ture ]

88-0

95 "0

89-5

91-02

99-2

82-4

Date of lowest )
temperature ... j

Feb. 13

Dec. 15

Jan. 29

Jan. 10, '59

Jan. 2, 1842

Lowest tempera- I

16-0

18-4

—12-45

26-5

1-9

164

CLIMATE.

The following meteorological results are from the General
Eegister of the Toronto Observatory. Latitude 43° 39' 4" north,
longitude 5 hours, 17 minutes, 33 seconds west. Elevation
above Lake Ontario 108 feet. Approximate elevation above the
sea 342 feet :

Extent of Sky Clouded.
Since 1853 records have been kept at the Toronto Observa-
tory of the extent of sky clouded. The mean average during
the twenty-two years is 61 (the whole sky clouded being ex-
pressed by 100). For the different seasons the means are as
follows :

Winter, Spring, " Summer, Autumn,

December — February. March — -May. June — August. September — November-
73- 6o. 50. 62.

Kain and Snow.
An examination of the following tables will show considerable
irregularity in the amount of rain and snow that fell in differ-
ent years. If the mean annual fall of rain be divided into two
equal groups, 1846-58 and 1859-71, and compared, it is seen
that while there has been a diminution in the rain the snow has
increased, and also that the precipitation on the whole has in-
creased :

Years. Rain. Snow. Total. ^

1846-58 .. 28-552 60-82 34'634

1859-71 27-639 78-46 35-485

Change: Decrease.. 0-913 Increase.. 17*64 Increase.. 0-851

Again, on comparing the nmnher of days in the two groups, a
decided increase is found in the days of both rain and snow :

Years. Rain. Snow.

1846-58 106-4 days. 53-6 days,

1859-71 120-3 76-0 "

Increase.... 13-9 days 22*4 days.

Thus, while it appears that there has been a diminution in
the average annual amount of rain, the snow has increased,
and also that the number of days of rain and the number of
days of snow has increased :

165

TORONTO: PAST AND PRESENT.

Rain.

1875.

1874.

1873.

Average of
35 years.

Extremes.

Total depth of
Rain in inches

Number of days
in which rain
fell

Month in which
the greatest
depth of rain
fell J

18-980
103

i7'574
103

20-232
no

28-574
109

43'555 in '43-
J130 in i86i

i7'574 in '74
80 in I 841

May

July

April

Sept'r.

:Sept. 1843.

Sept. 1848

Greatest depth of
rain in one
month

Month in which
the days of lain
were most fre-
quent

Greatest number
of rainy days
in one month...

Greatest amount
of rain in one
day

•

2-980
October

15
1-360

3"35o

Jan. & June

13
1-370

3"975

Sept'r.

14
0-950

3'597

October

13
2-004

9-760

f June, '69 )
1 Oct., '64 1

3'455

3-115
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Wind.

A comparison of the monthly resultants from the period
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spheric current is considerably more from the westward in the
winter than in the summer months, the monthly resultants
oscillating about N. 48° W., from April to September inclusive,
and about N. 69° W. during the remaining six months.

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TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

^KETCHEg.

T. JAMES'S CATHEDRAL IN 1840.— J. S. Buck-
ingham, in his " Canada, Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick," states that he attended the Cathedral
on three Sundays, and heard some excellent sermons from
the Eev. Mr. Grassett, the officiating clergyman." He re-
marks that the social distinctions, in the relative rank,
wealth, or conditions, were very marked in the external
appearance of the families present. Here, he says, " some
of the pews were large and elegantly furnished, others were
small without any furniture at all in them ; some of the persons
were elegantly dressed, others were in very homely though
decent apparel. Then the military attended the church in
large numbers. There was the tramp of some three or four hun-
dred men, preceded by the band of the regiment, playing a gay
march, the officers on horseback ; and on foot, a detachment of
provincial_[dragoons, with their steel scabbards clanging against
the pavement as they alighted and walked ; the officers of the
infantry entering in bright scarlet and gold, those of the Eoyal
Artillery in blue and red, the lieutenant-governor with cocked
hat and plumes, and his, aide-de-camp and staff similarly
attired, accompanying the ladies and children of his family
to the governor's pew, and causing all eyes to be directed to
their movements. Here, too, for the first time since leaving
home we recognised the parish clerk occupying his desk, beneath
the minister, reading the responses, and giving out the psalms
in the same nasal tone, and with the same defective and un-
educated manner, which characterises that class in England.
The elevated pulpit of the church here, like those in England,
was fitted to receive only one person, and had a box-like and
confined appearance. The college cap and black silk gown of

168

SKETCHES.

the clergyman, his stately step as he trod the aisle or ascended
the pulpit, the attendance of the beadle to open or close the
pulpit or desk door, and to follow close upon his person, all
these were parts of the ' pomp and circumstance ' of worship
which we had not witnessed before during our journey on this
continent." After speaking of the inferior music and singing of
the service, Mr. Buckingham continues, " There was one
American feature in this English church, however, which I was
very glad to see, and it is so good it ought to become general,
namely, the addition of this beaut iful comment on the law of
JMoses, which is appended to the Ten Commandments : — ' Hear
also what our Lord Jesus Christ saith — Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart. This is the first and greatest com-
mandment. And the second is like uuto it : Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the
law and the ijrophets.'' These sentences were inscribed in letters
of gold on the tablets above the Communion Table, following im-
mediately after the Table of the Ten Commandments."

The Fish Market in 1840. — This sketch of the Fish Market
in 1840 is taken from an engraving in J. S. Buckingham's

Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick," published in 1843-
The site of the market was a little east of Church street, a por-
tion of it being now covered by Front street, and Lyman
Bros, warehouse, on the ground now occupied by some of
the largest warehouses in the city. The City Hotel has long
since disappeared, the site being now occupied by the more im-
posing structure of the Toronto Bank. Mr. Buckingham,
describing the Fish Market when he visited Toronto, says it was
"in a little bay, just within the projecting wharf, at which the
landing is principally effected, and is often the scene of great inte-
rest and variety from the number of Indians who are seen there
mixed with the Canadians. From this point, just opposite the
City Hotel, the accompanying view is taken, and will give an
accurate idea of the close approach of the houses to the steep
bank rising from the water, and the general character of the
ordinary buildings of the town."

169

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

ChUF{CHE3.

THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.

HE first meeting of which we have any official record
in connection with the Baptists of Toronto, was held
on the 16th of October, 1829. It would seem, from
incidental allusions in the minutes, that one or more meetings
or consultations had been held before, but there is no record of
what was said or done at these supposed meetings. The Eev.
A. Stewart was first pastor of the little church, and Peter Pat-
terson, the founder of the house still bearing his name on King
street, was the first deacon. The infant church held their
meetings for a considerable time in the old Masonic Hall in
Market lane, now known as Colborne street.- In 1832 the first
chapel or church edifice of the Baptists was erected in what was
then known as March street, but now as Stanley street. At that
time the street had been laid out, but there was scarcely any
buildings on it. The chapel itself was very small, having ac-
commodation for only one hundred and sixty people, and was far
from attractive in its appearance. Miserable houses sprang up
all around it, and were inhabited by the most vicious and
wretched kind of people. Often on Sabbath evenings a police-
man was secured to patrol the sidewalk in front of the cliujrch to
keej) down the uproar which the children and others would
thoughtlessly or wilfully make in the neighbourhood. Through
all sorts of strange experiences the church in Market lane main-
tained its worship and prosecuted its work, till, under the
auspices of Dr. F^^fe (who was called to the pastorate in Sep-
tember, 1844), the church on Bond street was opened in June.
In 1856, that church was enlarged. In November last year
(1875) Dr. F^^fe, who had preached the first sermon in it forty

170

CHURCHES.

years before, preached the last sermon there from the text,
" Thou shalt remember all the way."

On the 2nd of December, 1875, the chm^ch entered its new
and beautiful home — beautiful for situation, and beautiful in
every detail — on Jarvis street. The history of the church if
progressive has been chequered. It has had both sun and shade ;
but it has a happy record of extensive usefulness. Amongst its
ministers it has been favored by the teachings of such men as
Dr. Pyper, Dr. Fyfe, now of Woodstock ; the late Dr. Caldicott,
and the Eev. W. Stewart, M.A., of Hamilton. Dr. J. H. Castle,
its present pastor, settled in February, 1873. Dr. Castle gra-
duated at the University of Lewisburg in 1853, and settled in
Pottsville, Pennsylvania. For seventeen years he presided over
an attached and devoted church on Chestnut street, Phila-
delphia. In connection with the new church there are a variety of
Christian activities all in full play, such as Young Men's and
Young Women's Associations, and a Dorcas Society. There is
also a Mission Sunday School in the west end, as well as a Sun-
day school at Jarvis street.

In October, 1866, a number of the members of Bond street
church felt that the time had come to extend the limits of the
denomination. North and east of Bond street population was
rapidly increasing, and to a very great extent the ground was
unoccupied. Some twenty-seven members of the mother Church
united, and for a time worshipped in the Congregational school-
house on Church street. They then removed to their settled
home in the neat and comfortable church in Alexander street.
The first minister was the Eev. George Macnutt, who settled in
September, 1867. In 1869 he was succeeded by the present
pastor, the Kev. A. H. Munro, who came from Liverpool, Nova
Scotia, to take charge of the young church.

The question of erecting a church at Yorkville was lirst
of all discussed in the Bond street church during the min-
istry of the late Dr. Caldicott. A number of the mem-
bers were living at or in the neighbourhood of YorkVille,
and for their sake, and because it was felt that the north

171

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

end of the city was to a very large extent neglected, about
Christmas of 1869 a meeting was held at the house of Mr. D.
Buchan to arrange details for a commencement of the work.
On the 26th of February, 1870, the first prayer meeting was held
at Yorkville in connection with the founding of the church. , On
the 6th of March in the same year the Sunday school was inau-
gurated. The church was o^Dened on the 1st of September, 1870,
the Kev. Dr. Pyper being the first pastor, the Rev. Joseph D.
King being the present pastor.

Alexander Street Baptist Church. — This neat structure,
which was erected in 1866, is in the early English style of archi-
tecture, the materials used being white brick with cut stone
dressings. The entrance door opens to a lobby, in front of
which is the entrance to the basement, and on each side a broad
staircase leads to the church. In the octagonal tower, which is
on the south-west corner, a staircase leads to the gallery extend-
ing across the north end of the building. This tower is finished
with a spire rising about ninety feet from the ground. The win-
dows are of enamelled glass, with stained margins. The circu-
lar window at the south end, over the minister's desk, is filled
with ornamental stained glass. The interior is tastefully deco-
rated, and presents a handsome appearance. The seats, which
are open, are arranged with a centre and two side passages, and
accommodate about four hundred persons. The minister's desk
is placed upon a platform raised three feet from the floor ; the
baptistry is on the same level in front of the desk. The base-
ment contains a well lighted lecture room, adapted to the pur-
poses of a Sabbath school, and capable of accommodating over
two hundred persons. In the rear are class rooms and other
apartments. The entire cost of the building (which is one hun-
dred and fifteen feet front by one hundred and twenty feet deep)
was about $10,000. Messrs. Gundry and Langley, of Toronto,
were the architects.

Jarvis Street Baptist Church. — This, the largest and most
handsome Baptist church in the city, is beautifully situated on

172

CHURCHES.

the corner of Jarvis and Gerrard streets, and is of imposing as-
pect, far beyond most edifices of similar accommodation, which
effect is obtained by including both church and school-house
under one roof. The style is Gothic, the building being of brown
stone, obtained from the vicinity of Queenstown, laid in coarse
rubble and pointed in black mortar. The dressings, copings,
&c., are of Ohio stone, and the columns at the doorways are of
granite of the most excellent quality, obtained from St. George,
New Brunswick. The rooi is covered with Canada slate, re-
lieved with ornamental bands in green and red. A handsome
iron cresting surmounts the ridge. On the south-west corner,
facing Gerrard and Jarvis streets, is a tower seventy-seven feet
high, with spire seventy-eight feet in height, and vane ten feet,
giving a total altitude of one hundred and sixty-five feet. On
the north-west corner is situate a porch, in which, as well as in
the tower, are the principal entrances and the staircase to the
gallery. The interior of the church is of amphitheatrical form,
with radiating aisles or passages, and the area, or ground floor,
is eighty-six by seventy-two feet, exclusive of projections. The
floor, for a distance of twenty-two feet from the walls, slopes
towards the centre portion, which is level. At the eastern end
is the pulpit platform, with the baptistry and organ immediately
behind. The baptistry, which is always open, is raised eighteen
inches above the pulpit platform, the lining is of planished
copper, and the curbing of the best Italian marble. The organ
is a splendid instrument, of imposing appearance, great poww
and sweetness, containing 2,250 pipes and fifty stops. The case
is of black walnut, and the front pipes are richly decorated in
flock and gold. The gallery is of crescent form, five seats in
depth, and is supported by handsome iron columns which extend
upwards to support the roof and ceiling. The front of the
gallery is of iron, painted green and bronzed. The pews in
both gallery and ground floor are of walnut and chestnut
finished in oil. The accommodation of the church is 1,258
sittings, but on crowded occasions as many as 1,700 may be
accommodated. The entire cost of the land, building and fur-

173

TOBONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

nishing was about $100,000. Messrs. Langley, Langley and
Burke were the architects.

The Parliament Street Church is a neat httle structure
which is quite an ornament to tlie eastern end of the city. The
Eev. S. A Dyke, educated at the Tabernacle College, London, Eng-
land, under the presidency of the celebrated G. H. Spurgeon, is the
pastor. The church will hold three hundred people. The work
at College street was commenced in June, 1872. Mr. Lailey
bought a lot of land for $760. A guarantee committee was
formed, composed of Messrs. Lailey, Morse, Patterson and Latch.
Six months afterwards the church was dedicated. The opening
sermons were preached by Dr. Pyper and the Kev. A. H.
Munro. On the 13th of January, 1873, the churh was duly re-
cognised. The Eev. H. Lloyd, M.A., is the pastor. The church
will hold four hundred persons. The Queen street church is in
a flourishing and prosperous condition. The church is capable
of holding two hundred and fifty persons. The roll of member-
ship contains one hundred and five names. The minister is the
Eev. James W. Mitchell. The organ of the denomination is the
Canadian Baptist, the headquarters of which are in Adelaide
street, the Eev. W. Muir being editor.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

Zion Congregational Church.— The history of Zion Church
is the history of Congregationalism in Toronto, the other five
churches of the Congregational body in the city being organized,
wholly or in part, by members from Zion Church. The first
public religious service held in Toronto, in connexion with the
Congregational body, took place August 31st, 1834, in the upper
room of a two-storey wooden building, ured as a Masonic Hall,
which stood on Colborne street, near the site now occupied by
the Merchants' Exchange. On the 23rd of November following
Zion Church was organized, consisting of seventeen members.
In July, 1837, the Church removed to a vacant Methodist Chapel
on George street, where they continued to meet until January,

174

CHURCHES.

1840, when they removed to their new church on the corner of
Adelaide and Bay streets, which edifice was destroyed by fire on
the 26th of February, 1855. For over a year and a half the
Sunday services were held in St. Lawrence Hall, the use of
which was granted by the City Council. On the 26th of Septem-
ber, 1856, the present church building, occupying the site of that
destroyed by fire, was opened for public worship. The building
is of the Lombard style of architecture, and its materials white
brick with Ohio stone dressing. It is divided into five bays, with
a two-light semi-circular window in four of them, with
square buttresses between, with stone set-offs, and dying into the
brick corbel table under the eaves. The tower, which stands on
the south-west angle, was surmounted with a spire, which fell
during a heavy gale on the 26th of September, 1858, when a
turret was placed at each angle, with battlements between. The
interior is fitted up with a gallery on each side and one at the
south end. The ground floor has centre and side aisles and large
entrance corridors in front, from which stairs lead to the galleries
and basement. The roof is partly open, showing the arches of
the pinnacles from columns each way. The dimensions of the
building are ninety-five by fifty feet, and it contains sittings for
eight hundred persons. The basement contains a Sunday,
school and lecture-room, an infants' class-room, and a ministers'
vestry. The cost of construction was seventeen thousand dollars.
The present is the fifth pastoral settlement, and the office has
been successively filled as follows, namely : by the Rev. William
Merrifield, who came from Brampton, in Cumberland, England,
imder whom the Church was organized, and who resigned in
September, 1836, and died in England, January 23rd, 1837. The
Rev John Roaf, of Wolverhampton, England was the next pastor
He accepted the charge on March 29th, 1838, which he sustained
for more than seventeen years. He resigned in June, 1855, and
died in Toronto, September 2nd, 1862. Mr. Roaf was succeeded,
in May, 1856, by the Rev. Thomas Scales Ellerby, formerly
pastor of the British and American Congregational Church at
St. Petersburg, Russia, who closed his pastorate, of about ten

175

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

years, March, 1866, and is now rector of the Episcopal Church
at Sarnia, Ontario. On the 30th of May, 1866, the Eev. John G.
Manly, of Dublin, Ireland, assumed the office., which he filled for
about four years and a half, resigning December 1st, 1870, and
was succeeded on the 1st of June, 1871, by the Eev. Samuel U.
Jackson, M. D., of Montreal, the present pastor. On the 3rd of
April, 1849, twenty-five members of the Church withdrew to
organize the second (Bond Street) Congregational Church. On
January 3rd, 1868, twenty-eight members were accorded letters
of dismission to form the Northern Congregational Church. On
November 24th, 1875, thirty members were dismissed to form the
Western Congregational Church ; and again on March 29th, 1875,
several members were transferred to unite with others from
the Northern Church, in forming the Yorkville Congregational
Church. This makes five churches which, whoU}^ or in part,
were formed by members of Zion Church. The number of
members added to the church, from the date of its organization up
to December 31st, 1875, is one thousand and forty-one, of which
number eight hundred and nine have been removed, many by
death, leaving the present membership two hundred and thirty -
two. The Sunday- School was commenced just after the organi-
zation of the church, and has passed through the same changes
with regard to location. The infant class was instituted under
the care of Miss Vandersmissen, in 1842, and was the first formed
in Toronto. There have been, in all, twelve superintendents,
most of them, like the present, being deacons of the church.
The present number of scholars is two hundred and fifty-two,
with twenty-five officers and teachers.

Bond Street Church, — This tasteful and commodious build-
ing was erected in 1863 from the designs of Mr. James Smith,
architect. The site, which is on the corner of Bond and Crook-
shank streets, measures one hundred feet on the former by one
hundred and fifteen feet on the latter. The style of the building
is early English Gothic ; the material is best white brick, with
stone foundations and dressings and slate. The interior dimen-
sions of the main building are seventy by forty-four feet. The

176

\
I

CHURCHES.

ceiling, which is arched and panelled, rises from twenty-one to
thirty-five feet; the beams are shown under the plastering, their
ends resting on carved and twisted columns. A deep gallery
occupies one end of the church. The pulpit stands in a groined
arched recess of considerable height. The walls and ceiling are
colored in fresco. The number of sittings is about six hundred.
A large and handsome traceried window, the upper portion filled
with stained glass, is the principal feature in front of the build-
ing. The tower and spire at the south-west angle rise to a
height of one hundred and thirty feet ; the tower is in two
stages, the lower having the principal entrance to the church
and flanked with massive buttresses, the upper being an octagon,
pierced by eight lancet louvre windows, capped with a projecting
cornice, from which springs an octagon spire, covered with slate,
with a handsome wrought iron vane. Across the rear of the
main bifilding, and forming with it the shape of the letter T, is
a building, eighty-three by thirty-six feet, containing schoolroom
and four smaller rooms for vestries, infant class gallery, and
ladies' meetings. The cost of the entire structure was about
$15,000.

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCHES-

St. James' Cathedral. — The Parish Church of St. James has
had a more than usualUy eventful history. On the noble square
where the stately cathedral now stands, there stood, in the early
days when Toronto was Little York, an unobtrusive wooden build-
ing which did duty as a Parish Church, under the rectorship of
Dr. Strachan. This was, in 1832, replaced by a more ostentatious
stone edifice having a square tower in front. This building is
shown on the view of King Street East in 1834. This building
was unfortunately destroyed by fire in the early part of the year
1839, the same year in which it was honoured by being made a
Cathedral Church, by the appointment of its then Kector
as first Bishop of Upper Canada. A new and nobler structure
was erected in the course of the same year, built, like its prede-

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

cessor, of stone, but furnished with a wooden spire, which, exactly
ten years afterwards, proved its destruction. During the gre + con-
flagration which in 1849 swept over the adjoining portion, of the
city, the spire became ignited., and as the appliances for extin-
guishing fires — inefficient enough in those days, — were employed
elsewhere in saving what was deemed more valuable property, the
church was left to its fate and was soon reduced to a heap of ruins.
The present elegant structure was begun soon afterwards, but
was not ready for occupation till 1853. It is built in the Gothic
style of the early English period of architecture, the material
being white brick with Ohio stone dressings. Although the main
portion of the building was erected as far back as 1851 the belfry
was not completed till 1867, and the transept, pinnacles, spire,
and porches, not till within the last three years. The cathedral
is one of the best and purest examples of this style of architec-
ture in America, and is of great size and capacity. Its total length
is about 200 feet, the width at the transept 95 feet, and the height
to the ridge crestings 84 feet. It is divided into the usual nave
and aisles, with apsidal chancel and vestries at the north, and
vestibules and the massive tower at the south end. Galleries
surround it on three sides, that at the south being appropriated
to the magnificent organ and the choir. The chancel is elabo-
rately fitted up in oak, and the walls are enriched with a carved
reredos, part of which is devoted to the Bishop Strachan memorial,
the tablet being of Nova Scotia stone, and the bust of statuary
marble. The communion table. Bishop's chair, stalls for clergy,
reading desk and pulpit, are executed in a style similar to that of
the chancel and reredos. The seating capacity is 1,500, but near-
ly double that number can be accommotated without much incon-
venience. The tower and spire are the most distinguishing fea-
tures of the edifice, being visible at a distance of many miles both
by land and water. The tower has a diameter of 30 feet and is
160 feet high, the spire is 140 feet, thus giving a total altitude
(with the vane) of 306 feet — said to be the loftiest on the American
continent. Two other peculiar features of the cathedral are worthy
of notice; these are the chimes, and illuminated clock, which,

178

CHURCHES.

though set up independently, have been so arranged as to work
in unction with each other, the bells striking the hours and
chiming the quarters for the clock. The bells, eight in number,
were cast at the celebrated Troy Bell Foundry in 1865, and are
valued at $12,000. The total cost of the edifice including clock
and chimes was over $220,000.

The Church of St. George the Martyr— Head of John
Street. — This handsome sacred edifice was opened for divine
service in September, 1815. It is built of white brick, dressed
with Ohio stone ; its style of architecture is the early pointed
Gothic," which prevailed in England in the time of Henry I.
Its extreme length is one hundred and thirty feet, whilst its
width, exclusive of a projection on either side of twelve feet,
(forming a south porch and vestry room), is fifty-three feet. The
height of the interior is forty-five feet, and of the tower and spire,
(which is surmounted by a St. George's Cross), one hundred and
sixty feet. The Church has a seating capacity for eight hundred
persons, and has altogether a very handsome interior ; yet though
a stranger may be struck with its beauty, he may find it is not
perhaps quite as convenient a's could be desired for the purpose-
for which it was designed.

THE METHODIST CHURCHES.

This form or section of our Protestant Christianity was intro-
duced into Upper Canada, about the time it was set off as a sepa-
rate Province from Lower Canada, by the Methodist Episcopal
Church in the United States, six or seven years after the organic
founding of that church, and for most of. the time, until 1870, it
stood connected with the New York Annual Conference. From
1810 it stood connected with the Genesee Annual Conference
until 1824, when a Canada Annual Conference was organised,
during the jurisdiction of which Methodism received organic
shape in the town of York (now Toronto) of which we now pro-
pose to give the details.

179

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

In 1794 the Methodist evangelistic work, or connexional ar-
rangement, was divided into two circuits, the " Upper Canada
Lower Circuit," and the "Upper Canada Ujpper CiTcuit," The
preacher on tlie latter, the Eev. Elijah Woolsey, doubtless, was
necessitated to pass through York in his fortnightly rounds, and
would naturally preach among its inhabitants whenever he
found an opening ; but of these occasional efforts, and of similar
ones for nearly a quarter of a century longer there remains no
reliable account. Thenceforwards, until 1804, the place would
receive similar visits, while it was comprehended in what were
called, at several successive periods, the " Niagara," and the
" Bay Quinte and Home District " Circuits. At the date last
mentioned (1804) the Home District, of which York was the
county town (as well as capital of the Province), was made a
separate circuit, and the Eev. William Anson, a gifted preacher,
was appointed to its charge. He would naturally not forget
the head of his circuit," but what he attempted and ^vhat he
effected for the town, there remains no one living to tell.

In 1805 the " Yonge Street Circuit," of which York was the
base, appears in the minutes, and Eev. Daniel Picket was the
appointed preacher. This is a gentleman whom the writer
saw and heard at a later day, but of his labors then and here
he can say nothing. During the years 1811 and 1812, a retired
Methodist minister, Mr. Joseph Lockwood, lived in the town,
and taught a school, who also may have preached sometimes,
but where and to whom we know not. During all the time
from 1804 to 1817, occasional sermons were delivered, some-
times in schoolrooms, sometimes in the ball chamber of a
tavern, if not in the bar-room itself, and sometimes in private
houses. The preachers, in passing through, received hospitality
from a family of Palatine-Irish, by the name of Detlor, some-
times by a friendly innkeeper of the name of Stebbings, but
most frequently by Dr. Thomas Stoyle, who, after the formation
of a society, became a member, steward, leader, and one of the
most liberal supporters of the cause until his death. But
nothing decisive was done towards the visible organization

i8o

CHURCHES.

of the cause until the Conference year, 1817-18. At the be-
ginning of that year the Kev. David Gulp was appointed to the
Yonge street Circuit, and the Eev. James Jackson to the
Duffin's Creek Circuit; but we have reason to beHeve that the
two preachers labored interchangeably over the whole ground,
or at least that York was a point of intersection where each of
them preached in turn. During that ecclesiastical year the
energetic and enterprising Eev. Henry Kyan.. the district pre-
siding elder, projected a meeting-house in the capital. He is
said to have borrowed the money to erect the building, giving
a mortgage on his farm to the lender, to secure him until he had
raiised the funds to redeem the mortgage by begging through his
district, which extended from Smith's Creek to Detroit. The
building was of wood, a strong frame and clapboarded structure,
situated on the south side of King street, about midway between
Y'onge and Bay streets, and the site of it may now be identified
by the place where Hay and Co. conduct their bu^iiness, that is
to say, at the corner of King and Jordan streets. The frame of
the building was erected in the month of May, 1818, and there
were preaching services conducted in the house, although yet
unfinished, for some time before the Conference year was out,
which ended at the session of the Conference, held July 12th,
1818. Mr. Culp preached the first sermon, and Mr. Jackson the
second ; under that sermon Mr. William P. Patrick was con-
verted, who became the first class-leader, and was long the main
supporter of the cause in the town.

The next year, 1818-19, York was a charge separate from all
others, and Mr. Culp was the incumbent. In the fall of that
year the first Sunday school the town ever enjoyed was organ-
ised in that church by the Eev. Thaddeus Osgood, a general
missionary, and Messrs. W. P. Patrick, Jesse Ketchum, Hugh
Carfry, and T. D. Morrison were the teachers. At the Conference
of 1819, the return of members for York was sixty-five, which
probably included some in the country. In 1820 a rival Metho-
dist cause was commenced by a Wesleyan missionary, ap-
pointed by the British Conference, the Eev. Henry Pope, whose

i8i

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

place of preaching and worship was the Masonic Hall, in what
is now known as Colborne street, between Church street and the
Market. A number of what was called the " American Society "
on King street, left and joined the British Society, besides a
goodly number gathered in from the world. In about a year's
time from its first commencement the missionary was withdrawn
and the society broken up, in pursuance of an arrangement be-
tween the authorities of the American and British connexions.
The original society was not immediately much strengthened by
this arrangement, because few of the British Society took the
advice of their pastors on leaving to go to the King street
chapel, but most of them held on by themselves for a time in a
retired way, until at length they were all scattered abroad. At
the Conference of 1821, the return for York was only thirty, and
the town society, which was then a part of the Yonge street Cir-
cuit, could not have numbered more than that in 1824, which
» the writer of this statement personally learned by becoming a
member at that time.

At the Conference of 1827 York was made a separate " sta-
tion," and the labors of the Kev. William Kyerson restricted to
the town. Under his labors, and his immediate successors, the
Eevs. E. Metcalf, W. Smith, J. Eyerson, and A. Irvine, the
cause steadily progressed, so that at the Conference of 1833,
when the union was consummated with the British Conference
and the main Methodist body, took the name of " Wesleyan
Methodist Church " the number of members stood at 264.
During the last of these years the large brick church was
erected on the corner of Adelaide and Toronto streets which has
been lately taken down.

The main society, for some short time previously, had to com-
pete with two other Methodist interests. In March, 1830, the
Kev. Nathaniel Watkins, a ^Primitive Methodist missionary, was
appointed to York and its environs, from England, and took
charge of a small society raised by Mr. William Lawson, and in
1832 a neat brick chapel was erected in Bay street, not far south
.of King street, 'for the use of that section of Methodism, the

182

CHUECHES.

Eev. William Summersides being then the minister. So, also,
some persons, preferring European Methodism to the indigenous
types, erected a Wesleyan Methodist chapel during the Confe-
rence year 1831-32, and a missionary was appointed in the per-
son of the Kev. John Barry. The church was of wood, on the
east side of George street, between Duke and Duchess streets,
and was neat in appearance. The chapel was opened on the 1st
July, 1833. This place of worship came into use in the
united body for a time, but was afterwards closed or rented to
others, until the disruption of the union in 1840. The British
Wesleyan cause, distinctively, which set up its banner indepen-
dently, besides occupying George street, erected a church on
Queen street west, on the site of the present noble Queen street
Methodist Church. During the ecclesiastical year 1843-44 the
large Kichmond street church — which speaks for itself to all
beholders — was built, and George street chureh was sold. In
1846 they had a membership of between four and five hun-
dred.

The original Methodist congregation worshipping in Adelaide
street, holding a small chapel in Yorkville, and having preach-
ing places at Blue Bell and Davenport, although much reduced
at the time of the disruption, had increased to 379 at the Con-
ference of 1846. But, during the next Conference year, the
society, which had been agitated for a couple of years by dis-
satisfied persons, was divided, and the Methodist New Connexion
found an opening, and erected a brick church the following year
on Temperance street. That year (1846-47) although saddened
by disruption, was cheered by negotiations for restoring the
union with the British Conference, which was ratified by the
Conference of 1847, which met in Toronto, June 3rd, of that
year. This re-union had the happiest effect on Wesleyan Metho-
dism, so that in ten years from that time the membership in the
two city circuits had increased to 1,203, under five pastors, in
five church edifices.

In eighteen years from the date last mentioned, that is to say,
immediately after the consummation of the union with the

183

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Methodist New Connexion and affiliation with the Wesleyan
conferences in eastern British America, the Wesleyan section of
Methodism in Toronto and suburbs, numbered a membership of
2,298. The Methodist New Connexion at that time had erected
an additional church which was situated on Spadina avenue,
with a membership of eighty-one in the two churches. The
United Church, now known as the Methodist Church of Canada,
at the present time (1876) numbers within the city and suburbs
seven circuits, embracing fourteen church edifices, ten pastors,
aided by eleven ministers holding connexional appointments, or
supernumary, or superannuated, making a ministerial staff of
twenty-one, as also local preachers unnumbered, and a member-
ship of near if not quite 3,000, and possessing church property
to the amount of $310,000. They have fourteen Sabbath
schools.

The Primitive Methodist body, which began its labors in the
city about forty-six years ago, numbers, as appears from their
last returns, four circuits, five church edifices, five circuit
preachers, two supernumaries, and their editor and book
stewards, making eight ministers in all. The value of their
property alone amounts to over $100,000. Their membership in
the city and suburbs amounts to 705. If we unite the newly
erected Bible Christian Church, and its pastor, who are really
nothing less nor more than Methodists, there are thirty Metho-
dist ministers in Toronto, preaching in seventeen churches,
conducting twenty Sabbath schools, and having about eleven or
twelve thousand souls under their care.

Metropolitan Methodist Church. — Toronto is renowned for
the beauty and magnificence of her churches, and foremost
among the many splendid and costly edifices that have assisted
to spread the fame of the city, the Metropolitan Methodist Church
stands unequalled for beauty of design, admirable location, and
the completeness and unity of fittings and arrangements. This
beautiful building, the finest Wesleyan Methodist Church in
Toronto, and one of the largest on this side of the Atlantic, is
situate in the centre of a large square, bounded on the east by

184

M^GEES BLOCK YONGF. ST.

CHUECHES.

Church street, west by Bond street, south by Queen street, and
north by Shuter street. The Church grounds, which contain
about two acres, have, during the past few months, been
enclosed by a neat iron fence, and planted with flowers, orna-
mental shrubs and trees, making Metropolitan Square one of the
brightest and most attractive spots in the city. Upwards of ten
thousand dollars have been expended on this work of making the
grounds suitable to the magnificent edifice standing in their
midst. The Church is built of the finest white brick, with cut
stone dressings, and is in the French Gothic style of the
fourteenth century. Its extreme dimensions are 214 by 104
feet. In the rear of the church is a chancel-shaped chapel, or
lecture-room, 63 by 63 feet, with an upper floor at the south end
in which are commodious infants' class rooms. In front of the
Church is a massive and imposing tower about thirty feet square
and one hundred and ninety feet in height. On either side
at the juncture of the main building with the lecture-room are
two smaller towers, sixteen feet square and one hundred and
twenty-two feet high. The roof is covered with coloured slates,
in ornamental bands, and the ridge is richly crested with cast
iron ornaments. The principal entrance fronts on Queen street,
and is by a massive doorway under the main tpwer, and by two
open porches on either side. There are also entrances on either
side under the smaller towers. The gallery is reached by two
very commodious staircases from the front vestibule, and can
be emptied in about five or six minutes. The internal arrange-
ments, general design, harmony, and beauty of the whole, excite
the admiration of all visitors. The windows are of stained glass
and beautiully traced, filling the Church in the day time with
that dim religious light which is so appropriate to a building of
its character. At night the Church is lighted by gas proceeding
from burners arranged in arches beneath patent reflectors above
the capitals of the columns supporting the roof. On the wall
above the large window over the main entrance door of the
building, is a beautiful scroll bearing the words Holiness
becometh Thy House, 0 Lord." A commodious gallery extends

185

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

around the Church, the northern end, behind the pulpit, being
occupied by the organ and choir. The seating capacity of the
Church is over two thousand four hundred, and is invariably
crowded at Sunday services, morning and evening. The total
cost of the building, organ, and site was one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars. The Church was erected mainly through
the exertions of the eminent English Divine, the Eev. Dr.
W. M. Punshon, whose thrilling eloquence did so much to
infuse life and vigor into Methodism in Canada. The organ
is the largest and most complete in the Dominion of Canada,
and one of the largest in America, and is the product of
Canadian skill and workmanship, and not only affords evidence
of the high position attained by the builders — Messrs. S. K.
Warren & Co., of Montreal — in this important department of art
and manufacture, but also serves to awaken just feelings of
national pride that a work of such magnitude and importance
has been executed by artists and manufacturers resident in
Canada. It contains, with the Glockenspiel (or Bell stop), three
thousand three hundred and fifteen pipes and notes, namely : —

1, 218 pipes in the Great Organ.
1,160 " " Swell "

568 " " Choir

330 " " Pedal

It has thirty-nine Glockenspiel notes in the Choir Organ, and has
three manuals and pedals, namely. Great, Swell, Choir and
Pedal Organs, the whole embracing eighty-four registers, pistons
and pedals, of which fifty-three are speaking stops, (all of which,
with the exception of the clarionet, run through the entire
register), nine pneumatic composition pistons, and twenty-two
mechanical registers and pedals. Many new and valuable inven-
tions and improvements have been introduced into this instru-
ment, among which may be mentioned the Pneumatic Tubular
Action, of which there are a number of ingenious applications.
The placing of a portion of the Great Organ in the swell -box is
one of these enabling the organist to produce a crescendo on the
Great as well as on the Swell Organ, thereby securing results of

186

CHURCHES.

the most striking and impressive character. Only one other
example of this arrangement is to be found in America. The
blowing apparatus is another important feature, and unquestion-
ably the most successful arrangement yet perfected, and, in some
respects, resembles that in use in St. Paul's Cathedral, London,
England. The number of sixteen feet and eight feet registers is
noticeable, giving not only great depth, dignity, and volume of
tone, but, when combined with the reeds (of which there are
thirteen) and mixtures, the effect produced is truly grand and
brilliant. It is a fact generally admitted, that in delicacy and
refinement of voicing, mechanical skill, and completeness of
design, the instrument is one of rare excellence, and certainly
not excelled, if equalled, in these particulars, on the Continent.
The total cost of the organ, including water engine and blowing
apparatus, was about fifteen thousand dollars.

Size, as Compared with some Noted Organs in Europe :

Metropolitan Church organ, Toronto 53 speaking stops.

Strasburg Cathedral 46 " "

Temple Church, London, England 47 " "

Westminster Abbey 32 " "

Exeter Hall 42

Birmingham Town Hall 53 "

The Church is also noted for its splendid choir, numbering
over eighty members, under the able leadership of F. H,
Torrington, Esq., the organist of the Church, and conductor
of the Philharmonic Society.

Richmond Street Church.— This church, until the erection
of the magnificent Metropolitan Methodist Church, was, on
account of its commodiousness, regarded as the Cathedral Church
of Methodism in Canada. The Church was erected in 1844 ; is
a substantial square brick building, having no ornament but a
portico in front. The main building is eighty-five by sixty-five
feet, and, at the time of its erection, seated a greater number
than any other church in the city. The church contains a very
fine organ. The entire cost of the main building with adjoining
vestry and class-rooms was over twenty thousand dollars.

187

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Sherbourne Street Methodist Church — This church, situate
on the corner of Sherbourne and Carleton streets, was erected
four years ago, and is a very plain structure, fifty-four by seventy-
five feet. It it built of red brick, with an extended porch, in-
tended for the base of a tower, to be completed when necessary
or desirable. The sides are supported with heavy buttresses; the
windows are of ground glass with colored margins. Eecent
extensive alterations, carried out by Messrs. Langley, Langley
and Burke, architects of this city, have completely transformed
the appearance of this church. An extensive addition has been
made of twenty-six feet to the church proper, twenty feet of
which is in the shape of an octagon transept, which widens the
church at the pulpit to sixty-six feet, in each of which three
windows are inserted, in harmony with the old part. The
balance is taken up by the organ and singers' gallery, which is
behind the minister's platform. The ceiling is brought down in
a curve at the sides to the spring of the arch of the windows,
making a neat arch around the head of each window. The tran-
septs are beautifully groined and enriched with mouldings and
ornaments, which add very materially to the appearance. The
carpeting and upholstering of the church is uniform throughout.
The church contains a fine organ with twenty-four stops and over
eight hundred pipes, built by the well known O. E. Warren, of
Montreal. In the rear of the church is a very fine schoolroom.
The total cost of the property as it now stands was over
$28,000.

Elm Street Wesleyan Methodist Church. — This church
was built and opened for public worship in 1862, on the site of
the former church, which was destroyed by fire on the morning
of Sunday, the 29th of October, 1861. It occupies a very plea-
sant position, and, with the neatly kept grounds, gives it an
inviting aspect. Though its style is not ornate, ifc has neverthe-
less an appearance of symmetry and neatness. The principal
entrance is at the southern end, over which rises a very graceful
spire. The interior of the church is well laid out, and may be
pronounced to be almost a model of neatness and convenience.

i88

CHUBCHES.

It has a seating capacity of 1,100 persons. The entire cost of
the structure was about $30,000, and was designed and erected
under the superintendence of Mr. James Smith, architect, of
this city.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.

From a very early period of its history Presbyterians
formed a part of the population of Toronto, originally called
York. As might be expected, from their strong attachment
to their simple forms of worship, they soon began to take
steps for having divine ordinances regularly administered
amongst them, after the Presbyterian mode. But at first it was
difficult to have their desires carried into effect. Presbyterian
ministers, in Upper Canada, were few in number, so that it was
some time before they were able to obtain regular ministrations.
One of the first Presbyterian ministers who laboured in the west-
earn part of Canada was the Eev. Robert McDowall, who was
sent to Canada as a missionary, by the Classis of Albany, in
connection with the Reformed Dutch Church. He occasionally
visited York, but laboured principally in the townships around
the Bay of Quinte. The first who was permanently settled in
Toronto, as a Presbyterian minister, was the Rev. James Harris,
who came from Ireland in 1820. Previous to his arrival, the
Rev. W. Jenkins, originally from Scotland, and who came in the
year 1807 from the United States to Canada, had given what
assistance he could in gathering the Presbyterians of York and
the neighbourhood together, and forming them into a congrega-
tion. Soon after Mr. Harris arrived, steps were taken for the
erection of a place of worship, for which land was generously
given by Mr. Jesse Ketchum. Its site was part of the lot now
occupied by Knox Church. The church was built in 1821, and
in 1822 the organization of the congregation Tvas completed
by the formal adoption of certain rules and regulations as a con-
stitution for the new congregation. The connexion between pastor
and people was a happy one, and Mr. Harris, by the faithful per-

189

TORONTU : PAST AND PRESENT.

formance of his duties, and his gentle, affable disposition, gained the
respect of all who knew him. The congregation of Mr. Harris was
not connected with the Church of Scotland, but with the body
known as the United Synod of Upper Canada. A number of per-
sons connected with the Church of Scotland had been for some time
desirous of forming a congregation in York. At the first meeting
held by them, Mr. (now Sir Francis) Hincks was in the chair,
and Mr. W. Lyon Mackenzie acted as secretary. The erection of
St. Andrew's Church was the result, which was opened for public
worship in June, 1831. The first minister was the Kev. W. Kin-
toul, previously minister of a Presbyterian congregation at Mary- ^
port, in England. After a few years he resigned the charge of
the congregation, and was subsequently minister at Streetsville,
and for a time Professor of Hebrew in Knox College. For a few
years before his death he was minister of St. Gabriel Street
Church, Montreal. He died in the year, 1857, and was suc-
ceeded in Toronto by the Kev. W. T. Leach, who now holds the
important position of Archdeacon of Montreal, and Vice-Princi-
pal of McGill College. The Kev. Mr. Barclay, now Dr. Barclay,
succeeded him in St. Andrew's Church, Toronto, and was in turn
succeeded by the Kev. D. J. Macdonell, B.D. The congregation
of St. Andrew's have recently erected a handsome and commodi-
ous church, one of the finest in the city, at the corner of King
and Simcoe streets, and have the prospect of increased prosperity
in their new edifice. A portion of the congregation still remain
in the old building, at the corner of Church and Adelaide streets,
and have lately called, as their pastor, the Kev. G. M. Milligan,
B.A., formerly of Detroit. In 1844 the Presbyterian Church
of Canada, in connection with the Church of Scotland, was
divided into two parts, one retaining the old name, and
the other portion forming themselves into the Synod of
the " Presbyterian Church of Canada." A large number
of the members and adherents of St. Andrew's Church, Toronto,
sympathising with the Free Church, and feeling it to be their
duty to bear testimony to their principles, separated from the
Church of Scotland. This was formally done at a meeting held

190

CHURCHES.

13th July, 1845 ; arrangements were made for the organization
of a congregation and the selection of a place of worship. But
before any definite steps were taken for these needs, a proposal
was made by the congregation of the Presbyterian Church of
York, (under which title the congregation under the pastoral care
of Mr. Harris was known), that the two bodies should unite and
form one congregation, Mr. Harris retiring with an annuity, to
be paid by the united congregation. The proposal was agreed
to, and it was resolved to unite and form one church to be known
as Knox Church. The union was accordingly carried into effect,
and worked harmoniously. The united congregation addressed
a call to the Kev. Dr. Eobert Burns, then of Paisley, Scotland,
who had visited Canada as a Deputy of the Free Church in the
early part of 1844. Dr. Burns was inducted as pastor of Knox
Church in May, 1846, and entered on the duties of the office with
characteristic zeal and energy. For eleven years he discharged
the duties of pastor, and was then appointed to the chair of Church
History in Knox College, which he retained until his death in
1869. During his pastorate the old church was destroyed by fire
in 1847, and in its place the congregation erected the present
handsome edifice, which was opened on the 3rd September, 1848,
In 1858 the present pastor of Knox Church, Eev. Alexander
Topp, D.D., was called and inducted. The congregation
is a very large, influential, and well organized one. A few
years ago a handsome structure, affording the most ample
accommodation for Sabbath school, lecture room, &c., was
erected at a cost of about |16,000. The communicants of
the church now number upwards of 800. Towards the
end of the year 1837, a few persons desired to have reli-
gious ordinances in connection with the United Secession
Church of Scotland (now known as the United Presbyterian
Church). They had been occasionally holding their meetings in
a carpenter's shop. In 1838 they rented a church belonging to
the Baptists, in Stanley street, from which they removed in 1840
to the church belonging to the Episcopal Methodists on Kichmond
street. In 1848 the church on Bay street was erected, and

igi

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

opened for public worship on the last Sab' atL of the year. The
Eev. John Jennings, D.D., who lately passed away after a use-
ful and and honored ministry of thirty- seven years, was the
first pastor of Bay street. He was succeeded by the Eev. John
Smith, formerly of Bowman ville, while a number of the
families formerly connected with the Bay Street Church were
formed into a new congregation called the Central Church.
At present they meet in Shaftesbury Hall, but are building a
handsome church on Grosvenor street. The pastor is the Eev.
D. Mitchell, formerly of New York. In 1852 some of the mem-
bers of Bay Street Church wished to be organized as a separate
congregation, and they were organized accordingly, and called as
their pastor the Eev. Dr. Taylor, then Professor of Divinity for
the United Presbyterian Church. For a time they wo^-shipped
in the Mechanics' Institute, then on Court street ; but subse-
quently built the commodious church on the corner of Gould and
Victoria streets. In 1861 Dr. Taylor resigned the pastorate and
returned to Scotland. After a vacancy of some duration, during
which they were supplied by Dr. Burns, they called the Eev.
John King, M. A., who was then minister at Columbus. Under
the pastoral charge of Mr. King the congregation has largely
increased. They have also cleared off all their church debt,
which for a time was very considerable, and contributed very
liberally to the various schemes of the church. About the time
when the last mentioned congregation was organized, another
was formed under the name of Cooke's Church, most of the origi-
nal members of wiiich were from Ireland. Their first place of
worship was on George street ; they afterwards erected the sub-
stantial and commodious church on Queen street. Dr. Robert
Irvine was the first pastor. After a few years he was called to
Hamilton, and was succeeded in Cooke's Church by the Eev. A.
Marshall. The Eev. Mr. Marshall's faithful and earnest l inis-
try was of short duration ; he was compelled by the state of his
health to resign his charge and return to Ireland, where he
shortly afterwards died. He is still affectionately remembered
by not a few of the Presbyterians of Toronto. He was succeeded

192

CHUECHES.

by the Eev. W. Gregg, M.A., now Professor Gregg of Knox Col-
lege, who in his turn was succeeded by the Eev. J. G. Kobb, D.D.
Cooke's Church is now a large and influential congregation. Our
space will not allow of our giving any minute account of the rise
and growth of the other Presbyterian congregations in Toronto.
In 1856 a preaching station was opened on Spadina Avenue,
south of Queen street. After some time a congregation was
organized, and a place of worship errected on Queen street, at
the corner of Denison Avenue, and called the West Church.
The first pastor was the Eev. J. Baikie, who, after a short minis-
try, was removed by death. He was succeeded by the Eev.
Eobert Wallace, the present pastor. A few years ago the church
was enlarged to meet the wants of the growing congregation.

For sometime prior to 1867 there had been occasional services
for the Presbyterians residing in Yorkville and neighborhood.
In the year mentioned it was resolved to erect a church. A site
was secured on Charles street ; a church was built and opened in
the autumn of 1868. The first pastor was the Eev. John Camp-
bell, M. A., now Professor in the Presbyterian College of Montreal.
After a somewhat lengthened vacancy he was succeeded by the Eev.
E. D. Fraser, M.A., the present pastor. The congregation is grow-
ing and the necessity of enlarged accommodation is under the con-
sideration of the members. In the eastern part of the city a church
was erected in the year 1869, near the corner of King and Pine
streets. The first pastor, who still presides over the congrega-
tion, was the Eev. John Cameron. The congregation has
increased greatly, and steps are being taken to erect a larger
place of worship. A still more recently established church is
that at the corner of College and Bathurst streets. The pastor
is the Eev. A. Gilray. The congregation here also increased very
greatly ; the original church has already been enlarged, and it
is likely that ere long still more accommodation will be required.
There is also a Mission Church, called St. Mark's, on Adelaide
street west. This church was erected by St. Andrew's congre-
gation ; there is a Sabbath school but there is no congrega-
tion yet organized. There is another Mission Church on

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Duchess street, near Slierbourne street. This was erected by
the congregation of Knox Church, and the expenses have hither-
to been borne by the same congregation. Steps are being taken
for the erection of other Churches, through the efforts of the
Toronto Presbyterian Church Extension Association, recently
organized, and which is entering on its work with no small
degree of energy and zeal. There are at present, January, 1877,
eleven fully organized Presbyterian congregations with pastors,
besides two Mission Churches, and several preaching stations,
within the city and the immediate vicinity. These are all hap-
pily united in connexion with the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church of Canada. There was formerly a Presby-
terian congregation connected with the Keformed Church of the
United States ; but this may be said to be extinct. The place of
worship is now in the possession of the Keformed Episcopal
Church, and they have had no pastor for many years. It ma}'
be thus seen that all the Presbyterians in Toronto are included
in one general organization. The total membership (communi-
cants) may be stated at upwards of three thousand five hundred,
representing a Presbyterian population of not less probably than
twelve thousand. Knox College has its seat in Toronto, and from
its halls a goodly number of young men issue year by year to
take their place in the wide harvest field opening all around.

Old St. Andrew's Church. — This church was erected in the
year 1830, and is now the oldest edifice used as a place of Pro-
testant worship in Toronto. It was opened for divine service on
the 19th of June, 1831, on which occasion His Majesty's 79th
Kegiment of Scotch Highlanders, then stationed here, attended.
The church stands on a lot of land at the corner of Church and
Adelaide streets, entering from the former. It is a substantial
erection of brick, plastered on the outside in imitation of stone,
and is capable, of seating about a thousand persons. It was the
first and, until within the last few years, the only Presbyterian
church in Canada in which instrumental music was employed,
and here for nearly thirty years instrumental music as an aid in
conducting the psalmody has been used. A few years ago a new

194

CHURCHES.

and very fine toned organ was built expressly for this churcli by
Messrs. Warren and Co., of Montreal.

New St. Andrew's Church. — The New St. Andrew's, situ-
ate on the corner of King and Simcoe streets, is in the Norman
style of architecture, which was in fashion in Scotland in the
twelfth century. The Norman style with its semi-circular arches
was the chronological antecedent of the gothic pointed arch in
mediaeval Europe, and the success attending the present venture,
together with the intrinsic merits of the style itself for church
architectural purposes, renders it quite probable that St. Andrew's
will not be long without imitations in Canada. The material of
which the edifice is composed is mainly Georgetown rubble stone,
with Ohio stone facings, varied by the introduction of Queens-
ton red-brown stone in the relieving arches and bands. The
columns adjoining the main entrance are made of Bay of Fundy
red granite, finely polished, and handsomely adorned with appro-
priate accompaniments. The King street facade is unbroken by
any projection, but is relieved by three large semi-circular arches,
richly ornamented with chevrons and other characteristic mould-
ings. The facade on Simcoe street is relieved by a large stone
tower, thirty-one feet square at the base, and rising to a height of
one hundred and sixteen feet. The windows, like the entrance, are
headed by the semi-circular arch, and are so arranged as to pro-
duce a very fine effect. At the southern end of the building are
situate the school, lecture, and other rooms, which are ingeni-
ously and successfully contrived, with a view of adding to instead
of detracting from the general effect which the contour of the
building is intended to produce. Still further south, and immedi-
ately opposite the grounds of the Lieutenant-Governor's residence,
stands the handsome and well appointed manse. In internal
arrangements and perfection of fittings the Church is second to
none. The cost of the Church and manse was about eighty-five
thousand dollars.

Cooke's Church, or Free Presbyterian Churcli, was erected
from the designs of William Thomas and Sons, architects, in
1857-8, and was opened for public worship on the 25th of July,

195

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

1858. It is of white brick, in the Lombarclian style of architec-
ture, and is a plain but substantial building, the chief ornamen-
tation being in brickwork with a projecting corbel table to eaves
and gables. The building is one hundred and two feet in depth,
with a frontage of fifty-five feet. The front has three divisions,
with towers on each angle and boldly projecting entrance porch.
The angle towers are each fourteen feet square and are one hun-
dred and ten feet in height from the ground to the tops of the
spires. The church has accommodation for nearly a thousand
persons. A spacious basement story underneath the church is
used for Sunday school and other congregational purposes.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Catholic services were first performed in York about seven
years after Governor Simcoe selected it as the site of the
capital of Upper Canada. These services were first con-
ducted by missionaries on their way to and from Detroit,
then a large French mission station. Afterwards services
were pretty regularly held in the houses of the Catholic
members of the Government. In 1826 St. Paul's Church was
built, and at the time of its erection was considered the hand-
somest edifice in the city. In 1842 Bishop Power was appointed
the first Bishop of Toronto. He shortly afterwards bought
from Mr. McGill the site on which St. Michael's Cathedral now
stands. It was at that time thought to be a very foolish project
to purchase land so far from the then centre of the city, and
the height of madness to erect so large a church in the
centre of a dense bush. Bishop Power, however, had large
views, and his judgment and wisdom has been proved by the
rapid growth "of the city, which has transformed this site into
one of the most central and most valuable church sites in the
city. Bishop Power died in 1847, having been seized with
cholera during his arduous labors among the plague-stricken
emigrants and citizens, during the fatal epidemic of that year
The cathedral was unfinished at the time of Bishop Power's

196

CHUECHES.

death, but his immediate successor, Bishop Charbonnel, paid off a
heavy debt contracted in its erection, and adorned the building
with several paintings, beautiful stained glass windows, and five
very gorgeous altars. Archbishop Lynch, the present earnest
and learned occupant of the Palace, built the very fine tower and
spire, and added thereto the sacristry and bells. At the present
time (January, 1876) there are seven Eoman Catholic churches in
the city, with several convents, charitable institutions, col-
leges, and schools in affiliation with the church.

THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.

Unitarian Church. — This edifice, which stands on the west
side of Jarvis street, above Crookshank street, was erected in
1854. It is built of white brick, and is eighty-five feet long by
fifty feet wide, forming a parallelogram, which includes the body
of the church and the vestibule. Its cost was over $10,000. The
style of architecture is the pointed Gothic, and it is generally
admitted to be a very handsome building. Its sitting accommo-
dation is for about five hundred persons. On the 24th of
December, 1865, this church was fired by an incendiary, and
very much damaged. It was repaired as soon as practicable,
and now presents internally a very handsome appearance. In
making the repairs after the fire the inside walls were painted
in imitation of cut stone, the ceiling was divided into frescoed
panels. The Sunday school room in the basement is capacious,
neat and well lighted. The basement also contains apartments
for a library and a ministers' vestry.

197

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

KeX^IQIOUS jKfiD CHyVI^lTyVBLE I JMgTITUTlOJMS.

|HE religious and charitable institutions of the city are
very numerous, and formed to meet the wants of all
classes, old and young, male and female. There are
young men's Christian associations and there are young women's
Christian associations, there are boys' homes and girls' homes,
homes for infants, and homes for old people. As the city is dis-
tinguished for its many and beautiful church edifices, so is it
equally distinguished for its abundant charity. Almost every
want or ill that can distress human nature has some institution
or some society organised for the mitigation of it. Here are
found societies of almost every conceivable form of benevolence,
for the visitation of the sick, for the cure of the maimed and
crippled, for the alleviation of the pangs of child-birth, for the
care of the orphan and foundling, the support of the aged and
infirm, the reformation of unfortunates and criminals, for the sup-
pression of vice and intemperance, for guarding and soothing the
mad, for clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and for the
prevention of cruelty to animals. Here are found Protestant
homes and Koman Catholic homes ever ready and willing to
assist the infirm and needy ; here are found societies of almost
every nationality assisting in the good work of guiding or pro-
moting the social and moral well-being of their fellow-country-
men.

Of the sums devoted to charitable uses by the various societies
and institutions in Toronto no exact statement can be made, but
from the various annual reports of the larger public institutions
it is manifest that a sum of near upon a quarter of a million of
dollars is annually spent in the relief of distress of various
forms. The space at our disposal will not allow of a detailed
description of all the religious and charitable institutions of the
city, but the following comprise the principal : „ ^

198

RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

The Young Men's Christian Association Building is situ-
ated on Queen street west, at the corner of J ames street. This
fine structure was erected in 1872, from a design by Messrs.
Smith & Gemmel, and extends over an area of one hundred and
twenty feet by seventy feet ; is three storeys high, exclusive of
the basement. In the basement a first-class gymnasium is pro-
vided for the use of members of the association, also several
cellar kitchens and boiler room. On the • ground floor there are
three stores, with warerooms attached, and in the rear of these
the height of the gymnasium is continued from the basement.
On this floor are also the janitor's rooms. The first floor con-
sists of a reading-room forty-three by thirty-eight feet, the
library being ranged along one side, with shelving for six
thousand volumes. There are also on the same floor a parlour,
secretary's room, lavatories, and large lecture hall with double
gallery, seating one thousand five hundred. The main entrance
to the hall is twelve feet wide, leading direct from the street.
The second floor is divided into smaller rooms for class and com-
mittee rooms and passages to the galleries of the large ha^. The
third floor, rising into the mansard roof, contains eight rooms.
The outside of the building presents a handsome appearance,
being of the best white brick, with stone and galvanized cappings.
A mansard roof, in which there are dormer windows, and a tower
eighty feet high rising over the main entrance, form prominent
features of the building. The cost of erection was forty-one
thousand dollars.

Young Women's Christian Association. — The objects of
this institution are to provide suitable accommodation and a
comfortable home for young girls coming from different parts of
the country, who require shelter or permanent protection against
the dangers and temptations consequent on leaving the parental
roof to earn a livelihood in the city. The aim of the institution
is not to offer charity, but rather to inculcate self-dependence ;
the desire of the committee being to make it eventually self-sup-
porting. All its inmates during the past year, numbering one
hundred and ninety, have paid for their board according to their

199

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

means, with the exception of about twenty who were received
until they obtained suitable employment. It has proved a great
boon to not a few young women who arrived in the city stran-
gers, and who found in it shelter, Christian counsel, sympathy,
and practical help. A rule is made and adhered to, not to re-
ceive domestics who have held situations in the city, except in
extraordinary cases, and then not without an explanatory note
from their last employer. The average charge for board is $2.50
per week, more or less, according to the means of the applicant.

The Girl's Home is a neat and attractive building of red
and white brick, erected at a cost of upwards of $15,000, on Ger-
rard street east. It is designed for the rescue and care of young
girls, and the bestowal of careful attention to their religious,
moral, and temporal welfare, also the maintenance and support
of boys and girls under five years of age. About one hundred
and seventy girls were received into this institution during the
past year.

The Boys' Home. — This institution, which is a neat red
and white brick structure, with cut stone dressings, in the
Gothic style of architecture, is situate on the east side of George
street. The building is 73 by 30 feet, with a projecting portico
in front. The basement story contains the dining hall, kitchen,
pantries, store rooms, laundry and bath rooms. On the ground
floor is placed the school room, the reception room, and board
room. The two upper stories contain the dormitories, which
are large and well ventilated. The institution is designed to
furnish a home for destitute boys not convicted of any crime.
It is open to boys from all parts of the Province of Ontario
without regard to creed or nationality, and each boy is allowed
to attend any place of worship, which either he or his friends
or relatives may choose, on every Sunday morning. Divine ser-
vice is also celebrated in the home every Sunday afternoon.
The home at present contains about seventy boys, whose ages
range from five to fourteen years, and is at all hours open to the
visits of ministers of every denomination and all others who
feel an interest in the welfare of destitute children. The com-

200

RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

mittee of management is comprised of a number of the most
active lady philanthropists of tiie city, whose labom^s in this
good work are worthy of every encouragement. The vast
amount of misery and crime prevented by the operations of this
home can never be fully realized, and but a faint conception of
it formed by those who are among the most active workers
in carrying out the aims of the institution. Mrs. Munro is the
matron of the home.

The Magdalen Asylum, situate on Yonge street, is designed
for the reclamation of fallen women. About eighty inmates are
annually received into this institution, which is worthy of all
support, and is accomplishing a good work.

Toronto General Hospital (on Don and Sumach streets) is
a stately white brick building of the old English domestic style
of the fifteenth century. The site is dry, airy, and comprises
about four acres of land. The hospital is very complete in all
its arrangements and appliances for the comfort and well-being
of the patients. The grounds are neatly laid out and well cul-
tivated. During the past year 1,087 patients were received into
the hospital, and 7,854 persons received medicine and treatment
as external patients. Of the 1,087 patients treated in the hos-
pital, 756 were from the city of Toronto, 284 were from various
other parts of the Province, 16 from the United States, and 31
were emigrants and foreigners. The average stay of the
patients in the hospital was fifty-one days. The entire receipts
of the hospital and the sources from which they were derived

are as follows :

$ cts.

From the Provincial Government of Ontario 11,200 00

" Paying patients 8,565 91

Income from property belonging to the hospital 8,590 16

Subscriptions, donations and bequests of private ]

individuals j ^^'552 97

Other sources 551 62

$45,460 66

The expenditures for the same period amounted to $40,051.58,

201

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

and include, among other items, $3,415.95 for beer, wine, spirits
and medicines ; $13,601.86 for bread, butter,-meat, milk, &c.

The Provincial Lunatic Asylum — Queen Street west, oppo-
site Trinity College. — The Provincial Lunatic Asylum, the
largest public edifice in Toronto, is situated in the western por-
tion of the city on Queen street, about two and a half miles from
the Central (or St. Lawrence Hall) Market. It is located on part
of the old Garrison Common, commanding a splendid view of
the lake, and also near to Trinity College and the Crystal Palace.
The building has a frontage of six hundred and forty-four feet, is
four storeys high, and has two large wings, one at each end of the j
edifice. The basement contains the kitchens, heating furnaces, i
bakery, store-rooms, tailor's shop, etc., etc. The floors above
the basement are appro]3riated to the patients and their medical
attendants. The grounds appropriated to the Asylum are fifty
acres in extent, and are enclosed by a substantial brick wall.
They are used partly for agricultural and horticultural purposes,
and partly as flower gardens and promenades for the patients.
The Asylum stands in the midst of a beautiful flower garden, w^ell
cultivated and tastefully laid out. Few places in Toronto or its
vicinity exhibit such beauty of decoration and of highly improved
culture as the Asylum grounds. In the front garden is a handsome
fountain, thirty feet high ; and in the rear are two smaller foun-
tains. This building stands third, in point of size and in the
number of its inmates, on the Continent of America. The insti-
tution is under the direction of a medical superintendent,
aided by a competent staff consisting of fifty-one male and
forty-eight female assistants. During the year 1875 the
daily average number of patients under treatment was six
hundred and fifty, maintained at an average cost of one
hundred and tw^enty-nine dollars and forty-two cents per head
for the year. The entire cost of maintaining the Asylum for the
year 1875 amounted to eighty-four thousand one hundred and
twenty-five dollars and seventy-three cents. About twelve thous-
and dollars per annum is spent for butcher's meat, fish and fowl,
eight thousand dollars for flour, two thousand dollars for beer,

202

RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.

wine and spirits, nearly five thousand dollars for butter, seven
thousand five hundred dollars for groceries, and about thirty
thousand dollars for other miscellaneous requirements of the
institution. Nearly twenty-two thousand dollars is paid for sala-
ries of Superintendent and assistants, etc., etc. The produce of th®
farm and garden is mainly consumed by the patients and attend-
ants, and last year, at the ordinary market prices, the produce of
the farm was worth five thousand one hundred and ninety-eight
dollars, and the garden one thousand one hundred and ninety-
nine, or a total of six thousand three hundred and ninety-seven
dollars.

In addition to these institutions there are the Burnside Lying-
in Hospital, Eichmond street ; the House of Providence, Power
street, and Orphan Asylum, under the care of the Sisters of St.
Joseph, which has for its object the relief and comfort of the
aged and infirm. The Infant's Home, Yonge street, for the care
of infants of women in service ; the House of Industry, Elm
street, for the relief of the aged poor ; the Newsboys' Lodging
and Industrial Home, Frederick street ; the Protestant Orphans'
Home ; the St. Nicholas Home, for working boys ; the Toronto
Dispensary, the Hospital for Incurables, the Eye and Ear
Infirmary, the Prisoners' Aid Society, the Society for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty to Animals, the Koyal Canadian Humane
Society, &c.

203

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

The PREgg.

HE first newspaper published in the Town of York, (now
Toronto), was the Upper Canada Gazette and American
Oracle. It was a weekly publication, the price three
dollars per annum, size about fifteen inches by nine, or nearly
half the size of a single folio of the present Weekly Globe. It
was first issued at Niagara, in 1793, as a semi-official organ,
recording the acts of the Government and Legislative Assembly,
but shortly after the removal of the seat ol Government to York,
the prospectus of the Upper Canada Gazette and American Oracle
announced their intention to remove from Niagara and continue
the publication at York. It was printed on very coarse paper,
sometimes on blue paper, similar to that on the outside of maga-
zines, and Government Blue Books ; no doubt this happened only
when the usual stock of brownish-white ran out, and the arrival
of the new supply was unavoidably delayed. The local informa-
tion was generally very meagre, affairs in Great Britain and the
States occupying most space. The editorials were not lengthy,
nor so highly seasoned, as is the case so frequently with many
now published in this City. The first issue of January, 1802,
contained only the following editorial :

• The Oracle: York, Saturday, January 2nd, 1802.— The
printer presents his congratulatory compliments to his customers
on the New Year."

The Gazette continued its existence under various names until
1826, when its publication ceased. About fifty newspapers
weekly and daily, have since this time, made their appearance,
and again ceased to exist. Some of these papers were start '^d, or
mainly supported, for a time, at least, by political aspirants,
who, by the influence which they hoped to bring to bear for or
against the administration, for the time being, expected to clfear

204

THE PBESS.

a path for their own advancement. Among the more prominent
of the press of the past may be noticed the Colonial Advocate,
first issued by William Lyon Mackenzie, at York, in November,
1824. No newspaper in the early annals of the press of Upper
Canada excited so much attention, or commanded such influence
as the Advocate, Its editorials displayed an ability then not
frequently met with, while its bold, pmigent, and sarcastic attacks
soon brought it into conflict with the authorities of the day. It
ceased to exist in 1834. Among others may be mentioned the
Observer, issued in 1820 ; the Canadian Freeman, in 1825 ; the
United Empire Loyalist, the Courier, the Patriot, and the
Examiner which began in 1838, under the management, of Mr.
Hincks, (now Sir Francis), and for a short time commanded a
considerable circulation and influence. There are at present
near forty newspapers and periodicals published in the city, viz.:
four dailys, fifteen weeklies, ten monthlies, two semi-monthlies,
and the remainder bi-monthlies, quarterly and annually. Three
large dailies, viz.: The Globe, The Leader, and The Mail publish
morning and evening editions, and The Telegram is published
every evening.

The Globe. — The name of the Toronto Globe is familiar to
almost every newspaper reader in the Dominion, owing partly
to its large circulation and long standing, and partly to its
connexion with the name of its founder, the Hon. George
Brown, who is also the Managing Director of the present Globe
Printing Company, and who has been for many years one of the
most prominent public men in Canada. The first number of the
Globe was issued on the 5th of March, 1844. It was at first
published weekly, the size of the sheet being very much less than
that on which the Daily Globe is now published. The subscription
price was four dollars per annum, and when the edition reached a
thousand the circulation was thought to be enormous. In 1846
the Globe began to be issued twice a week, the subscription price
remaining as it was, and in 1849 both tri- weekly and weekly edi-
tions were issued, the price of the former being four dollars per
annum, and the latter two. In October, 1853, the first number

205

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

of the Daily Globe appeared, the size being about half what it is
at present, and the total circulation of the editions, daily, tri-
weekly and weekly, being about six thousand. Small as this
number may seem, it was then considered an exceedingly satis-
factory result of nine years' operations, the success of the new ven-
ture having been unprecedented in the annals of Canadian jour-
nalism. From that time to the present the progress made has
been still more rapid, owing partly to judicious and well directed
business enterprise, and partly to the increase which has taken
place in the population and wealth of the City, and of the Pro-
vince at large. The number of persons to whom a daily paper is
a necessity was each year larger than the year before, and the
Glehe had always succeeded in securing a very large proportion
of the benefits thus resulting to the newspaper press. The tri-
weekly edition was discontinued many years ago, the daily and
weekly editions being found amply sufficient to meet the public
demand. Certain mechanical improvements in the paper and a
more effectual method of canvassing, almost doubled the then
circulation some eight years ago, and another very large expan-
sion has resulted from the alterations effected at the beginning
of the past year (1876) in the Weekly Globe, which was changed
from an eight to a sixteen page paper, a great many new and
original departments being at the same time introduced. The
joint circulation of the two editions is now over sixty thousand,
an increase of over one thousand per cent, since 1853. The
advertising patronage, on which journals have mainly to depend
for support, has of course increased in as rapid a ratio as the
circulation, the business public not being slow to procure the
advantage, to use as a medium, the journal which has for years
far surpassed all others in Canada in the number of its readers.
At the time when the Globe was started there were five political
journals in existence in Toronto, three of which — the Colonist,
the Patriot, and the Herald — were published semi-weekly, while
the other two — the Examiner and the Mirror — were, like the
Globe, weekly publications. All these journals with one excep-
tion have ceased to exist, the Globe having out-lived not only

206

THE PRESS.

these but a number of other more recent candidates for public
support. For the last twenty years it has held the position of
the leading journal of America, and it enjoys at present, and has
enjoyed for years, a larger circulation, in proportion to the size
of its constituency, than any other journal in the world. The
building at present occupied by the Globe is the sixth used for
that purpose since its establishment in 1844. Of these four have
been on King street and two on Yonge. The expansion of the
business connected with its publication, together with the require-
ments of its job printing department, necessitated some years
ago the selection of still more extensive premises than any pre-
viously occupied, and as the best way to obtain a suitable place
was to erect a building specially designed for the purpose, this
course was resolved upon, and the work begun in the spring of
1864. The site selected was an eminently appropriate one in
every respect, being close to the Post Office, the Municipal
Headquarters, the Law Courts, and the Telegraph offices, and in
the very heart of the busiest part of the city. The Globe office
is situated on the north side of King street east, a few yards from
Yonge street, having a frontage on King street of thirty-five feet.
It is three stories in height, and is constructed of white, pressed
brick, faced with Ohio stone. On the ground floor are situated
the counting-room, which occupies the front of the building, and
the job and newspaper press-rooms which occupy a total length
of two hundred and thirty feet. On the second flat, the front of
the building is taken up with the private office of the Hon. Mr.
Brown, and the editioral sanctum of the Canada Farmer, which
is published by the Globe Printing Company. In rear of these
is situated the job composing room, and hand-press room. The
front of the third flat is occupied by the Globe editorial rooms,
in rear of which is the news-room, a large and well lit apartment,
nearly two hundred feet in length and thirty feet in width. The
press-room is thoroughly equipped with the latest and most im-
proved machinery, both presses and folders. The Canada Farmer
and Weekly Globe are printed from stereotyped plates, the pro-
cess of stereotyping being carrried on in the job department.

207

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Underneath the building are numerous cellars for storing paper
and fuel, the whole constituting one of the most extensive and best
arranged newspaper and printing offices in America.

The Mail. — The Toronto Mail, established in 1870, is, ac-
cording to the "Canadian Newspaper Directory" for 1876, the
second most extensive journal in point of size, circulation and
influence in Ontario. Like its rival, the Globe, it expends large
sums in obtaining latest news. It has agencies in Montreal,
and some other 23rincipal cities, and the telegrams and general
reports found in its columns are marked by promptitude and
accuracy. The Mail is the organ of the Conservative party in
Ontario ; and perhaps on no journal can a greater amount of
editorial talent be found. It has a substantial circulation
throughout the Dominion, and its influence is daily and deser-
vedly on the increase. It is printed by a company, of which
T. C. Patteson is manager, who is also editor-in-chief.

The Christian Guardian. — The Toronto Christian GuardiaUy
established in 1829, is a weekly journal in the interest of the
Wesleyan Methodist body, and was long conducted by the
founder of the Ontario common school system, the Kev. Dr.
Egerton Kyerson, The Eev. E. H. Dewart is present editor.
The Guardian, after forty-seven years, still preserves its ancient
vigor and usefulness.

There are also published in the city the following papers and
magazines: — Leader, daily; Advertiser ,yNQQ]dj ; British American
Presbyterian, weekly; Canadian Baptist, weekly ; Canadian Gen-
tleman's Journal and Sporting Times, weekly ; Christian Journal,
weekly ; Dominion Churchman, weekly ; Irish Canadian, weekly ;
Monetary Times and Trade Review, weekly ; Orange Sentinel,
weekly ; Patriot, weekly ; Tribune, weekly ; Bee Hive, monthly ;
Canada Lancet, monthly ; Canada Law Journal, monthly ; Cana-
dian Independant, monthly ; Canadian Magazine, monthly ;
Canadian Monthly and National Revieiv, monthly; Canadian
Pharmaceutical Journal, monthly ; Home and Foreign Record,
monthly ; Journal of Education, monthly ; Local Courts and
Municipal Gazette, monthly ; Sunday School Banner, monthly.

208

EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

EdUCATIOINAX. E3TABj.lgHME]NTg.

HE educational establishments of Toronto are the glory
and pride of her citizens. In these institutions, both
public and private she stands unsurpassed, and if
compared with other cities of similar age and population she
has no rival. In connection with higher education she has
Toronto University, Trinity, Knox, and Upper Canada Colleges,
all of which have high reputations as seats of learning. There
are numerous handsome common and grammar schools, and
many first class private day and boarding schools, some of
which are well known throughout the entire Dominion, and also
in the United States.

The University Buildings (see plate 46) are situate in
University Park (adjoining Queen's Park), and are one of the
noblest piles of architecture on the American continent, and
as a seat of learning, second to none on this side of the Atlantic.
The buildings, in their principal features, are in the Norman
style of architecture, with massive tow^er and richly sculptured
doorway for the main entrance. The chief facades are to the
south and east — the former of great and massive elevation, for
distant effect from the lake and city, the latter of more broken
and picturesque outline for combination, with the beautiful
ravine lying between it and the main park avenue, from which
it will be chiefly viewed. The general outline of the building
approaches the form of a square, having an internal quadrangle
of about 200 feet square, the north side of which is left open
to University Park. The main frontage on the south is about
300 feet long, with massive Norman tower in the centre, 120 feet
in height, and comprising two storeys, that on the ground being
devoted to lecture rooms, the upper storey [to the library and
museum. The east side of the building is 260 feet in length,
and entered by a subsidiary tower. The west end of the quad-

o 209

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

rangle is about 200 feet in length, and used as residences for
students. The whole cost was $500,000. University Park ori-
ginally consisted of 104 acres, but in 1859 fifty acres were
granted towards forming Queen's Park, and the rest retained
for the University, which are well laid out. Within the grounds
are the buildings Sf the Magnetical Observatory.

Knox College. — Knox College, although the title was no
given till 1846, may be said to have been instituted in 1844,
when at a meeting of the Presbyterian Church of Canada, on the
14th of October, it was resolved to appoint a Professor of Divin-
ity and a Professor of Literature and Science, for conducting the
studies of young men aiming at the ministry ; the Professors to
be, for the present, stationed at Toronto. The Kev. Andrew
King, a deputy from the Free Church of Scotland, was appointed
interim Professor of Divinity, and the Eev. Henry Esson, of St.
Gabriel Street Church, Montreal, was appointed Professor of
Literature and Science. During the first session of 1844-5 the
attendance was fourteen, five of whom had been students of
Queen's College, Kingston, before the disruption which took
place in July, 1844. The classes were conducted in a room in
Mr. Esson's house, on James street. The Synod, at the same
meeting, in view of Dr. Eobert Burns, of Paisley, (who had been
called by the newly organized congregation of Knox Church), com-
ing out, and of his varied qualifications, appointed him as Pro-
fessor of Theolog}^ the appointment being subject to any contin-
gency arising from the Synod resolving at a future time to
separate the office of professor from that of pastor, or such
other circumstances as might effect the decision of the Synod as
to the character of the institution, or the locality of the Theological
Seminary of the Church. The Synod of 1845 confirmed the
appointment of Dr. Burns as Professor of Divinity, and that of
Mr. Esson as Professor of Literature and Philosophy. In 1846
the Synod, with a view of placing the institution on a more
extended and efficient basis, appointed a committee to consider
the question of the incorporation of the college, its name, the
number of its professors, the erection of a suitable building and

2IG

EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

the establishment of an Academy for the preliminary training of
young men, and a boarding house for the students. On the
report of the committee, it was agreed that the College should be
called Knox College, and that steps should be taken for establish-
ing an Academy or High School. This was done in the course of
the year, the Academy being superintended by the Eev. A. Gale,
M. A., formerly of Hamilton, assisted by the Eev. T. Wightman
and Mr. T. Henning. No steps were taken for the erection
of buildings ; but the College and Academy found suitable
accommodation in Ontario Terrace, in the premises, which,
after being enlarged and altered, are now occupied by the
Queen's Hotel. During the session of 1846, able assistance
was rendered the College by the Eev. Eobert McCorkle, of St.
Ninian's, Scotland, also by the Eev. W. Eintoul, who con-
ducted the classes in Hebrew and Biblical criticism. The
Synod of 1847 confirmed the appoiniment of Mr. Gale as Princi-
pal of the Academy, and as Professor of Classical Literature in
Knox College. The Synod at the same meeting, in considera-
tion of the increased number of students requiring the undivided
services of a professor, resolved to separate the Professorship of
Theology in Knox College from the pastorship of Knox Church,
and to send the Eev. John Bayne, of Gait, to Britain to confer
with the Colonial Committee of the Free Church, and secure, if
possible, the appointment of a Professor of Theology. This mis-
sion was undertaken and fulfilled, and the result was the appoint-
ment of the Eev. M. Willis, D.D., who continued to teach Theo-
logy with distinguished success for a period of twenty-three

yprs, until the session of 1869-70, when, in consequence of
advancing years, he was compelled to resign the office he had so
long and so ably filled. The Synod, when resolving to separate
the Professorship of Theology from the office of Pastor of Knox
Church, expressed their sense of the great obligations under which
they were to Dr. Burns for the valuable services he had rendered
to the College, h*is watchfulness over the sjpiritual interests of the
students, and his diligence and zeal in collecting books for the
library. In 1848 the Synod, having expressed their great satis-

211

TORONTO :

PAST AND PRESENT.

faction at having obtained the valuable services of Dr. Willis, and
with the view of promoting the efficiency of the College, appointed
the Kev. William Kintoul as Professor of Hebrew, it being under-
stood that the appointment would be an interim one, its per-
manence being dependent on the provision that might be made for
Oriental Literature in what was then King's College, now the
Toronto University. Mr. Eintoul discharged with great diligence
and efficiency the duties of the chair of Hebrew for several years,
when, in consequence of changes in the University, it was considered
no longer necessary to maintain a professorship of Hebrew in Knox
College. In 1849-50 the Eev. William Lyall, afterwards connected
with the Divinity Hall at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, rendered impor-
tant service to the College and Church as Professor of Literature
and mental training. The names of others might be mentioned
with honor in connexion with important services rendered when
necessary to the College, from time to time. It would be especi-
ally unjust not to mention the name of the Eev. Ealph Eobb, of
Hamilton, who, until prematurely cut off in 1850, was ever ready
to give aid when called upon to do so. In the early part of 1853,
Professor Esson, who had been connected with the College from
its infancy, and had done much to advance its interests and pro-
mote the improvement of the students, was removed by death.
He was succeeded by the Eev. George Paxton Young, of Knox
Church, Hamilton, who entered on his duties at the beginning of
the session of 1853-4, and brought to his work talents of the very
highest order, and zeal and aptitude for teaching, which were
highly appreciated by the successive classes of students who came
under his care. In 1854 it became necessary to remove from the
premises hitherto occupied in Ontario Terrace, Front Street, and
the property of Elmsley Yilla, formerly occupied by the Eight
Hon. the Earl of Elgin, when Governor- General of Canada, was
purchased and enlarged so as to afford accommodation for the
classes and boarding apartments. In 1856 the Synod added to
the staff by appointing Eev. Dr. Burns as an additional professor,
the departments of Church History and Evidence being assigned
to him, while the department of Exegetical Theology was assigned

212

EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

to Professor Young. In 1858 an Act of incorporation for the
College was obtained. From the first establishment of the
College it was not intended that any arrangements should be
made for instruction in the literary branches. After Professor
Gale's retirement and death, which took place in 1854, Kev. John
Laing, and subsequently Mr. James Smith, acted as teacher in
the preparatory department. After the retirement of he last
named gentleman, instruction in the preparatory department had
been given by some of the senior students appointed from year
to year by the Senate, with the exceptions of the years 1868-9,
1869-70, and 1870-71, when Eev. Professor Young, who had
resigned his position on the College staff in 1864, undertook, at
the request of the Synod, the charge of the literary classes.
Professor Young having resigned in 1864, the Kev W. Caven, was
in 1866 appointed Professor of Exegetical Theology, assistance
having been given during the intervening years by the Eev. W.
Gregg, of Cooke's Church, Toronto, and Eev. W. Caven, as
lecturers. At different times valuable assistance was rendered
the College by the following gentlemen, who were appointed by
the supreme court of the Church to lecture in particular branches,
viz. : — Eev. Dr. Ure, of Goderich ; Eev. Dr. Inglis, of Hamilton,
now of Brooklyn ; Eev. Dr. Topp, of Toronto ; and Eev. Dr.
Proudfoot, of London, who continues, by appointment of Assem-
bly, to lecture on Homiletics and Pastoral Theology. Dr. Willis,
having resigned his chair in 1870, the General Assembly of 1871
appointed Dr. D. Inglis as his successor. Having conducted the
classes with great efficiency and success for one session he re-
signed the chair, and accepted a call addressed to him by a con-
gregation in Brooklyn. He was succeeded by the Eev. William
McLaren, who had himself been an aluminus of the College,
the Eev. William Gregg, formerly of Cooke's Church, having
been in 1871 called by the Assembly to the chair of Church
History and Ubolgetics. The staff of teachers consists at the
present of the following : Eev. W. Caven, D.D., Principal of the
College, and Professor of Exegetical Theology ; Eev. W. Gregg,
M.A., Professor of Church History and Ubolgetics ; Eev. W.

213

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

McLaren, Professor of Systematic Theology; and Eev. J. J. A.
Proudfoot, D.D., lecturer on Homiletics and Pastoral Theology.
Classes in Greek and Latin are conducted by two of the more
advanced students appointed from year to year. In 1875 the
College removed from the premises on Grosvenor street to the
new buildings erected on Spadina avenue. These buildings,
erected at a cost of about $100,000, are commodious and hand-
some, affording ample space for class rooms, library, public hall
and students' rooms. About eighty students may be comfortably
accommodated. The College has a partial endowment of about
$46,000, the principal part being from the estate of the late
William Hall, of Peterboro', but for the present depends mainly on
the contributions of the congregations throughout the Church. It
is hoped that ere long it may be fully endowed. (See plate 25.)
, Trinity College (Queen street west) is a very handsome
structure of white brick with stone dressings, and is designed in
the third period of pointed English architecture. It has a fron-
tage of 250 feet, with projecting wings, 53 feet each. The porch
of the principal entrance is of cut stone, over which is a bay
window and ornamented gable to correspond. There are also
handsome bay windows in each wing, with gables and windows
similar to those in the entrance. The centre building is sur-
mounted by a bell turret, and smaller turrets ornament the
wings. The building is designed to accommodate eighty stu-
dents, with class rooms, chapel, library and museum, also pri-
vate residences for the provost and two senior professors. It
stands in a spacious park of twenty acres, facing the
bay, and is a great ornament to the west end of the
city, and a noble monument of the zeal of Dr. Strachan, the
first Protestant Bishop of Toronto, by whose exertions the col-
lege was erected in 1851.

Normal School Buildings. — One of the most attractive
spots in Toronto are the buildings and grounds of the Depart-
ment of Public Instruction for the Province of Ontario. The
buildings are situate in the centre of an open square of about
eight acres, bounded on the north by Gerrard street, the east by

214

EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

Church street, on the west by Victoria street, and on the south
by Gould street. The grounds in front of the buildings are
much admired and beautifully laid out, designed no less to
cultivate the taste of the teachers in training than to contri-
bute to the gratification of the public. During the summer
months the southern portion of the grounds present a rich dis-
play of floral beauty, and many choice specimens of Canadian
and foreign trees, flowers and shrubs will be found here. The
main building is of white brick with stone dressings, and is one
hundred and eighty -four feet in front, by eighty-five feet deep.
The front is in the Eoman Doric order of Palladium char-
acter, having for its centre four stone pilasters the full height
of the building, with pediment, surmounted b}^ an open Doric
cupola. In the centre of the building is a large examination or
lecture hall, capable of accommodating seven hundred persons.
The of&ces of the Minister of Education, tlie Hon. Adam
Crooks, are in the western wing. The museum contains a num-
ber of casts of antique and modern statues, busts,- groups, also
samples of Assyrian aiid Egyptian sculpture, including a colos-
sal human-headed winged bull, a four- winged figure with mace,
Sardanapulus and army besieging a city, a very striking slab
representing a wounded lioness, horses, lions, male and female
figures, &c. The museum also contains a large and valuable
collection of copies of some of the works of the great masters, in
Dutch, Flemish, Spanish and the Italian schools of painting, some
very choice electrotypes of the art treasures in the South Kensing-
ton Museum, London ; a large number of chromo-lithographs,
photographs, engravings of modern sculpture, one hundred and
fifty specimens of ivory carvings, of various periods from the
second to the sixteenth century ; a beautiful collection of casts
of gems, medals, coins, &c., and some very fine casts of leaves,
fruit, &c. In the various rooms will also be found some beauti-
ful models of steam vessels, including steam ram and other
ships of war, curiosities and specimens of natural history,
sample of Esquimaux dress, Greek, Eoman and English coins,
and numerous other objects of interest and instruction. The

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Normal Schools are situate on the north side of the main build-
ing, and are designed for the training of common school
teachers. Nearly two hundred student teachers attend annually
during the two sessions and receive tuition free, besides a ses-
sional allowance towards defraying the expenses of their board.
The i^lay yards, gymnastic and cricket grounds are at the east,
west and north of the buildings.

Loretto Convent (east side of Bond street, near St. Michael's
Eoman Catholic Cathedral) is a spacious Gothic building, erected
by the Ladies of Loretto in 1862 as a first class academy for
young ladies desiring to receive a finished and elegant educa-
tion. This institution stands very high as an educational esta-
blishment, and has been remarkably successful. The respect-
able and retired neighbourhood of the academy, which forms
part of the square occupied by the cathedral, is admirably
adapted for the purpose for which it was chosen.

Bishop Strachan School. — This establishment, conducted in
Wykeham Hall, Buchanan street, was founded in 1867, its
object being the higher education of young ladies in the various
secular branches of a liberal education, and also the inculcation
of Christian doctrine as contained in the Bible and and Book of
Common Prayer. Wykeham Hall, formerly the residence of the
late Sir J. B. Macaulay, is an extensive and handsome building
admirably adapted for school purposes; it stands in the midst of
beautiful grounds, affording ample scojDe for the physical exer-
cise and recreation of the students. The governing body con-
sists of the Eight Keverend the Lord Bishop of Toronto, and a
council of clergy and laity. The staff of instruction is com-
posed of five resident lady teachers and twelve non-resident
teachers, including Messrs. Carter and Torrington, teachers of
vocal and instrumental music, and Messrs. James Hoch and M.
Matthews instruct in drawing and painting. Gold, silver and
bronze medals are presented annually by His Excellency the
Governor- General, Dr. Hodder, Alexander Marling, Esq., and
also by the council, to the pupils in the various classes who
acquit themselves most satisfactorily.

216

EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

Upper Canada College. — Upper Canada College stands
on a site of nine acres, opposite the Government House, front-
ing on King street west, and consists of a row of plain brick
buildings. The College was founded in 1829. In an advertise-
ment in the Upper Canada Gazette of December 17th, 1829, the
following appeared : " This College will open after the approach-
ing Christmas vacation, on Monday, the 8th of January, 1830,
under the conduct of the masters appointed at Oxford by the
Yice-Chancellor and other electors in July last. Principal, the
Kev. J. H. Harris, D.D., late Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge.
Classical department, vice-principal, the Eev. J. Phillips, D.D.,
of Queen's College, Cambridge; first classical master, the Kev
Charles Matthews, M.A., of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge ; second
classical master, the Eev. W. Boulton, B.A., of Queen's College,
Oxford. Mathematical department, the Kev. Charles Wade,
M.A., Fellow of Caius College, Cambridge, and late mathema-
tical master at Elizabeth College. French, M. J. P. de la Haye.
English, writing, and arithmetic, Mr. G. A. Barber and Mr. J.
Padfield. Drawing master, Mr. Drury. Signed, G. H. Mark-
land, secretary to Board of Education. York, Upper Canada,
December 2nd, 1829." The College has long enjoyed a high repu-
tation as a seat of learning. Many of our leading men have
received their education either wholly or in part at this College,
and the distinguished success of its pupils in our universities has
attracted marked attention, and afforded ample proof that it is
conducted in a most efficient and successful manner. The Col-
lege is munificently endowed, and is modelled after the cele-
brated English grammar schools, aiming to impart a sound
classical and commercial education. Eight exhibitions, varying
in value from $40 to $120 per annum, are open to competition
of the whole Province. The College proper contains large and
well ventilated class rooms, a library, a laboratory, and a public
hall, the residences of the principal and the various masters
being on ther side. The College boarding house is a spacious
structure, fitted with every appliance to promote the health and
comfort of the boarders. The gymnasium is replete in all the

217

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

apparatus usually found in these rooms. The lawn is hand-
somely laid out, and the cricket and playgrounds are very exten-
sive. His Excellency the Governor General is the visitor, and
annually offers the highest prize to the head bo}^ The present
staff of masters consists of the principal, G. K. K. Cockburn,
M.A., assisted by ten other teachers.

Public Schools. — The present public school system of On-
tario is the outp;rowth of upwards of sixty years of legislative
care, together with the addition and modification of many of the
principles of the American and European systems. The Kev.
Dr. Eyerson, who was appointed Superintendent of Education
in 1844, undertook a tour through Europe and America with a
view of examining the various systems of national education,
and afterwards presented a report, in which he suggested the
main principles upon which the school system of Ontario was
afterwards conducted. The public schools of the city are
managed by a board of school trustees, composed of two repre-
sentatives from each ward in the city, wdio are- elected by the
citizens for a term of two years. The trustees have very large
powers : they appoint the teachers, fix their salaries, purchase
sites, for w^hich they can compel a sale, build schoolhouses, and
levy rates for all the funds that may be required. They may
establish circulating libraries, and* borrow money for school pur-
poses. The obligations of trustees are also extensive. They are
bound to provide adequate school accommodation (defined by
law) for all children of school age, to employ a sufficient number
of qualified teachers, to permit all residents between the ages of
five and twenty-one to attend school ree of all charges ; they
must take a census of children between seven and tw^elve years
of age in their bounds, and if any have not received instruction
for four months in the year they must notify the parents, and
can impose a rate of $1 per month for every such child, or
complain to a magistrate, who may fine and, in default, imprison.
The city schools are twenty in number, and have about 7,000
children in attendance. The following statement, made in an
address presented by the chairman of the School Board, Dr.

2l8

TOEONTO : PAST AND PBESENT.

Mu]MlCIP/.l..

HE city is governed by a Council consisting of a
mayor and aldermen, who are annually elected by
the popular vote of the citizens on the first Monday
in January. The Council is divided into sub-committees, having
charge of the various departments, such as finance, public works,
fire, water and gas ; markets, &c. The committees meet at
stated periods, or as necessity may arise, and present reports of
their proceedings to the Council, The Council is generally
composed of tradesmen, with a fair sprinkling of merchants ;
but even here, in this most English of Canadian cities, it is to
be feared that some of its members have not a single eye to the
interests of their fellow citizens. •

Nevertheless, the city is on the whole judiciously governed,
and with as much economy as is possible under any corporate
body. Everything is done to promote the health and comfort of
the citizens, and to render the city attractive to visitors. Eail-
ways are encouraged with a liberality seldom exceeded. Manu-
factories are fostered as much as possible, and few cities of the
same age can boast of such a system of drainage, so efficient a
fire brigade, such streets, or so smart and effective a police force.

The ratable value of the property in the city in 1876
amounted to $47,676,273, and there are properties exempt from
taxation amounting to $7,681,170, making a total of $55,357,443
as the ratable assessments of the city. The following are the
principal items of exemption:

Church Properties.

Episcopal.

17 churches, schools, and 7 ministers' residences ... ^558,904 00

Trinity College 175,611 00

Bishop Strachan School 43,408 00

$777,924 00

220

EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS.

W. W. Odgen, to His Excellency the Eight Hon. the Earl of
Duiferin, K.P., K.C.B., Governor- General of Canada, &c., during
his late visit to one of the city schools, illustrates the remark-
able progress of these schools : "It affords us much satisfaction
to assure your Excellency that, since your visit in 1872, our
public schools have made rapid and substantial progress in
several important particulars. The schools have increased in
number from twelve to twenty, and the teachers have increased
from sixty-two to one hundred and tw^enty-tw^o, an increase of
nearly 100 per cent, in less than five years. * * *
the occasion of your Excellency's former visit the school pro-
perty was valued at $150,000 ; to-day it is worth $315,000.
* * * With a view of securing sufficient accommodation
for the rapidly increasing number of pupils - wishing to attend
our schools, and to secure a more thorough and efficient system
of classification, we have, during the present year, built three
schools, much larger than any heretofore erected in Toronto, for
the use of the more advanced classes." The School Board of
Toronto make it a rule not to appoint any teacher to the schools
who holds any certificate lower than a 2nd Class B — no third
class certificates being recognised by the Board, consequently the
school teachers as a class in Toronto stand among the most effi-
cient and successful teachers in the Dominion.

2ig

•

MUNICIPAL.

Pbesbytebian.

15 churches, schools, and ministers' residences $300,705 00

Knox College 92,000 00

$392,705 00

Wesleyan Methodist.

13 churches, schools, and ministers' residences $299,728 00

Baptist.

6 churches, schools, and ministers' residences $172,321 00

Primitive Methodist.
5 churches, schools, and ministers' residences $80,541 00

Congregational.
3 churches, schools, &c $65,105 00

Bible Christian.

2 churches, schools, and ministers' residences $21,018 00

Other Churches.

14 churches, schools, and residences, Unitarian, \
Jewish Synagogue, Catholic Apostolic, Re-
formed Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, Dis-
ciples, Lutheran, New Jerusalem, &c

Total Protestant churches, 74 $Ij59i,382 go

'* *' colleges, 3 311,020 00

,060 00

$1,902,402 00

EoMAN Catholic.

5 churches $312,522 00

Schools, convents, religious and charitable insti- |

tutions 411.724 00

$724,246 00

Total exemptions of church property $2,626,648 00

Religious and charitable institutions 779,983 00

Educational Institutions.

20 Public schools, 5 colleges, Normal Schools and )

. [ 2,214,911 00

grounds j

Ontario Government property 2,314,089 00

Dominion " " 1,136,038 00

Corporation property 920,236 00

An attempt is now being made by a special committee of the
Conncil to annul the law allowing these exemptions.

221

TOEONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Excluding the corporate property from the list the yearly
loss to the civic revenue amounts to $134,410, calculating the
taxation at the rate levied for the present year.

The Fire Brigade. — Previous to 1855 the Fire Brigade con-
sisted of a number of volunteer conripanies, but, owing to the
general dissatisfaction manifested, an act was passed by the
City Council on the 24th of September, 1855, to repeal the law
under which they were organised, and to make provision for their
organisation and management hereafter. By virtue of this Act
the Brigade was placed under the control and direction of
the Committee on Fire, Water and Gas for the time being. At
this time the force consisted of one chief engineer, two assistant
engineers, two engine companies of thirty-five men each, two of
thirty men each, two of twenty-five each, one hook and ladder
company of twenty-five men, and one hose company of forty
men, or a total force of two hundred and forty-eight men, with
six manual engines, ten hose reels, with about 3,500 feet of hose
(good and bad), and two hook and ladder carriages. The ex-
penses of the department were about $17,000 per annum. The
population of . the city was about 40,000 inhabitants, and the
water supply was most miserable. At the present time (twenty
years later) we find a much smaller, much more costly, but also
a much more efficient force. Now (1876) the Brigade consists
of one chief engineer, one superintendent of the fire alarm tele-
graph, one assistant superintendent, fifty-seven men and drivers
of engine hose reels, four steam fire engines, eleven hose carts,
with about 7,000 feet of hose ; two hook and ladder apparatus,
with fire escapes ; one salvage waggon, and nineteen horses.
The mechanical arrangements in connection with the fire sta-
tions are very perfect and efficient in every department. The
fire alarm telegraph is extended through all the main streets of
the city, about ninety fire alarm signal boxes having connection
with the chief station. There are now six fire stations in various
parts of the city, and three more in course of erection. The
men and horses in the Brigade are well trained, and it is a
matter of surprise to strangers to notice the horses in the diffe-

222

MUNICIPAL.

rent stations. The instant an alarm is given they leave their
stables and promptly take their place inside the shafts of the
engines, or hose carts, to which they respectively belong. The
electric signal which gives the number of the box from which
the alarm is somided, also opens the doors of the stables, and
releases the horses from their stalls, and so efficient is the entire
Brigade that but two or three minutes elapse before the force
reach the most distant point in their respective districts after an
alarm of fire is sounded.

The Police Force. — The police force of Toronto is probably
the finest, best drilled, most effective, and most intelligent civic
police force on the American continent. The force consists of
eighteen officers, and one hundred and thirteen men, the average
height being 5 feet 10^- inches. One handred and fifteen miles
of the city streets are patrolled by the force, seventy men being
on duty at night and thirty during the day. Major Draper, the
chief, is assiduous in his efforts to promote the physical com-
forts of the men, and also their moral and intellectual status.
In his last report to the Council he made several suggestions
with this view, such as providing a gymnastic apparatus at all
the police stations, and a recreation room and library at the head-
quarters. During the year 1875 nearly $20,000 value of stolen
property was recovered by the police, and restored to the owners;
5,044 males and 1,106 females, a total of 6,150 persons, were
arrested during the year; of this number 2,969 were discharged
or dismissed, 2,968 persons were committed for being drunk or
disorderly, 598 for larceny, 279 for vagrancy, 1,056 for breach
of the city by-laws.

The Water Supply. — Of the numerous public works in
which the citizens of Toronto are interested there are none of
more importance than those by which the inhabitants are sup-
plied with pure water for ordinary domestic purposes. From
the foundation of the city in 1794, the wants of the people
were supplied from public wells, or the water was carried from
the bay for the daily use of the inhabitants. On the 18th of
September, 1841, an Act Wci^s passed by the Provincial Legisla-

223

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

tiire, incorporating Joseph Masson, Albert Furniss, and John
Strang under the style and title of "The Toronto Gaslight and
Water Company." The company was authorised to raise a sum
not exceeding ^£40,000 sterling for the purpose of completing
and maintaining said gas and water works. Works were con-
structed under the powers of this Act (at the time ample
enough for the requirements of the city), the water being taken
direct from the bay, into which the sewage of the city ran, and
was consequently very impure, and great repugnance was mani-
fested by the citizens against the system. In 1871 a special Act
was granted for the election of five commissioners, who, with
the mayor, should have power to construct such new works as
might be necessary for supplying the city with water. Under
the powers of this Act the commissioners are completing ar-
rangements by which the city will be supplied with water taken
from the open lake beyond the island, and from an analysis of
the quality of this water, supplied to the University, it was
found to be almost absolutely pure. Powerful pumping
engines have been erected, a reserve reservoir has been
built, the streets are being laid with service pipes of a
capacity ample for many years to come, and a pressure of water
from the street hydrants, sufficient to send enormous streams
over the highest buildings in case of fire is now secured.
Though the process of pipe-laying is not yet complete, the ex-
penditure in connection with these works has been nearly
$3,000,000.

Markets. — The first regular market of which we have any
account was established in 1803 by special proclamation of
Governor Hunter, upon the site where now stands the present
St. Lawrence Market. It is airy, convenient, and well
adapted for the purposes intended. St. Andrew's Market,
a very neat building, erected for the convenience of the
citizens in the western portion of the city, was opened in 1875.
Its internal plan is similar in design to the St. Lawrence Market.
St. Patrick's Market, on Queen street west, is a very small and
inconvenient building, hardly worthy the name of a market.

224

MUNICIPAL.

The Parks. — Toronto can now boast of three parks for the
healthful recreation of her citizens. The Queen's Park, in the
centre of the city, is a well- wooded piece of land of about fifty
acres, adjoining University Park, and contains the monument
erected to the memory of the volunteers w^io fell during the
Fenian raid at Eidgeway. It is surrounded by some of the finest
villa residences of the city, affords some fine natural views, and
is approached by two splendid avenues, Queen street avenue
being over a mile in length, 120 feet in width, and one of the
finest avenues in Canada. High Park, situated beyond the
western liuaits, was recently presented to the city by Mr. Howard,
an old citizen. It comprises some four hundred acres of hill
and dale, extending from the lake shore to Bloor street, the
northern limits of the city, and affording numerous views of the
surrounding country. Nature has been very prodigal in her
gifts to these acres, rich groves, beautiful vales, rippling streams,
green hills and rocky mounds abounding and meeting the eye at
every step. The view of Lake Ontario from the high lands of
the park is unsurpassed from any point on the lake shore.
One of the conditions of Mr. Howard's grant is that he be
buried in a tomb, marked by a rustic monument which he has
had constructed in the vicinity of his residence — Colborne Lodge
— and this monument is much admired for its simple beauty.
It is surmounted by a marble cross, is placed on a rough stone
pedestal about ten feet high, and is surrounded by an iron fence,
which, for about one hundred and sixty years, was part of an
enclosure of old St. Paul's, in London. Mr. Howard has spent,
in obtaining relics for these grounds, and in beautifying them in
various ways, as much as $40,000. As an example of his assi-
duity in such work, he went to the trouble and expense of reco-
vering the St. Paul's railing above mentioned from a ship-
wrecked cargo which had become submerged on its way hither.
Phoenix Park is situate in the eastern portion of the city, adjoin-
ing the River Don. Though as yet nothing has been done in
making walks, &c., in a few years this will be a favorite spot for
recreation with the denizens of the eastern portion of the city.

p 225

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Mayors of Toronto

1834 — William Lyon Mackensie,
first Mayor elected in the Pro-
vince.

1835 — R. B. Sullivan.

1836 — Dr. Morrison.

1837 — George Gurnett.

1838— 39-40 — John Powell.

1841 — George Munro.

1842- 43-44 — Henry Sherwood.
1845-46-47 — William H. Boulton.
1848-49-50 — George Gurnett.
1851-52-53' — John G. Bowes.

185 — Joshua G. Beard.

since its Incorporation :

I 1855 — George W. Allan.

1856 — John B. Robinson.
' 1857 — J<^hn Hutchinson.
! 1859-60 — Hon. A. Wilson.

I 1861-62-63 — John G. Bowes.
' 1864-65-66— F. H. Medcalf.
I 1867-68 — James E. Smith,
i 1869-70 — S. B. Harman.
j 1871 — Alexander Manning.
' 1872-73 — Joseph Sheard.

1874-75— F. H. Medcalf.
i 1876-77 — Angus Morrison.

Population of Toronto from 1793 :

1830 — 2,860.

1793 — Two families of Mississauga
Indians encamped on present site
of Toronto.

1794 — Governor Simcoe, staff, and
Queen's Rangers.

1801 — 336 (about 200 miltary).

1806—580.

1812 — 950.

1817 — 1,200.

1826 — 1,677.

1833—8,731-

1842—15,336.

1845 — 19,706.

1850—25,766.

1855—42,500.

i860 — 45,000.

1865—47,500.

1870—50,506.

1875—68,678.

The ratable property within the city limits has increased
from $32,000,000 in 1872, to a present (December, 1876) total
of $48,000,000, or an increase of 50 per cent, dm'ing the four
years.

226

NATIONAL SOCIETIES.

KaT10]MAL 30CIETIEg.

ANY a family, in their bright dreaiQS of a home in
the Far West, have left the land of their nativity
with high hopes and light hearts, only to find them
s'elves, by some mitoward fate, landed upon a strange shore
among a partially strange people, destitute even of the means
of procuring the necessaries of existence. It was therefore of
the utmost importance to have a centralization of benevolent
efforts, that immediate relief might, on an emergency, be ob-
tained. To this feeling we owe the existence of our St.
George's, St. Andrew's, and St. Patrick's societies.

The St. George's Society was organized in 1836 for the
purpose of uniting Englishmen, and the descendants of En-
glishmen, in a social compact for the promotion of mutual and
friendly intercourse, and for affording to such persons of
English birth or descent, as may stand in need of them, advice
and counsel, and such pecuniary assistance as the funds of the
society may enable it to give. Welshmen were also to be in-
cluded until a St. David's Society was organized. Among the
early office bearers we find the names of William Wakefield,
Henry Eowsel], W. B. Jarvis, G. P. Eidout, Kev. Henry Scad-
ding, J. G. Beard, G. W^ells, W. H. Phipps, and others well
known to the citizens of the present day, for the interest they
take in everything conducive to the welfare of the city. The
society numbers several hundred members.

St. Andrew's Society. — This society was organized on the
5th of May, 1836, under the name and style of "St. Andrew's
Society of Toronto, and Home District of Upper Canada."
Among the early office bearers are the names of Hon. W.
Allan, William Proudfoot, Peter Paterson, Isaac Buchanan,
Lewis Carfry, A. McNabb, William Henderson, Eev. Drs. Jen-

227

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

iiings and Barclay, James Baine, James Fisken, Hugh Mac-
donell, John Stewart, Thomas Hamilton, and others.

St. Patrick's Society. — This society was re-organized in
1844, under the presidency of Dr. King. It had been in exis-
tence for several years before, but dwindled down to a mere
name, but it is now one of the strongest national societies, in
point of numbers, and certainly the most showy in street parades.
. German Benevolent Society. — The German National
Society was established m 1862, and incorporated by special
Act of the Provincial Legislature in March, 1872. The objects
of the society are the relief of needy and distressed German
immigrants to this Province, as well as others of German
descent, and for the mutual assistance of members in case of
sickness or death. The of&cers of the society are elected semi-
annually. The constitution of the German Benevolent Society
partakes more of the nature of a provident society than does
any other of the national societies, provision being made for a
stated weekly payment to the members in case of sickness, and
in case of the death of any member, or of any member's wife,
the rules provide " that the society shall provide an honorable
burial, and the sum of $20 shall be paid out of the society's
funds to defray the expenses thereof." If night watching be
necessary in any case of sickness, the expenses of the same are
paid by the society. The widows of deceased members have
also a monthly allowance made them for the term of one year,
" provided she leads a moral life." The present president of
the society is Mr. John Kelz, of Yonge street.

Irish Protestant Benevolent Society. — This society was
established in 1870, the object being to furnish advice and in-
formation to those Irish Protestants who arrive as strangers in
our midst, to assist those of them who, from sickness or misfor-
tune, stand in need of pecuniary aid, and to promote the wel-
fare of Irish Protestants generally. Since its formation the
society has annually aided (as far as its funds would allow) from
100 to 250 cases. From the report of the society for the past

228

NATIONAL SOCIETIES.

year, 1875-76, we make the following extracts During the
past year the Charitable Committee of the society has favorably
entertained 82 applications for relief, representing no less than
259 individuals, many of them old and infirm, and others of
them suffering from disease. The assistance rendered has been
given in the form of fuel to the amount of $248.95, and in gro-
ceries and other necessaries, payment of rent, and cash in small
sums to the amount of $298.86, making in the aggregate the
sum of $547.81." The principal officers of the society are: —
President, Hon. Vice-Chancellor Blake ; vice-presidents, A. T.
McCord, senior, Esq. ; Warring Kennedy, Esq. ; F. W. King-
ston, Esq. ; J. G. Hodgins, Esq., LL.D. ; G. M. Evans, Esq.,
M.A.

In addition to these societies there are the Sons of England
Society, open to Englishmen, or persons of English descent ;
the Jean Baptiste Society, the Hibernian Society, and a

society of Nova Scotians is now being organized in the city.

229

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Ff^IE)MD]LY ^OCIETlEg.

HE ORDER OF ANCIENT FREE AND AC-
CEPTED MASONS.— This order, one of the most
influential in the world, is exceedingly strong in the
Dominion of Canada, but more especially in the Province of
Ontario, and the city of Toronto may be regarded as the metro-
polis of freemasonry, not only of Ontario, but also of the
Dominion. For upwards of eighty years masonry has had an
existence in this city, being first introduced into Little York
(as Toronto was then called) in 1794, the first lodge being
known as the Eawdon Lodge, of which the present St.
Andrew's Lodge, organised in 1822, may justly claim to be
the descendant. At present twelve lodges, with 1,200 mem-
bers, are located in the city and suburbs. Annexed is a list
of lodges with principal officers : — M. W. Bro. J. K. Kerr,
Toronto, Grand Master; R. W. Bro. Daniel Spry, Toronto,
D.D.G.M.

St. Andrew's Lodge, No. i6. — W. Bro. W. C. Wilkinson,
W.M. ; R. W. Bro. James Bain, 'treasurer ; R. W. Bro. Joseph
B. Reed, secretary. Meets in Masonic Hall second Tuesday in
each month.

King Solomon's Lodge, No. 22. — W. Bro. W. J. Hambly'
W.M. ; W. Bro. W. S. Lee, treasurer ; H. Bickford, secretary
Meets in Masonic Hall every second Thursday.

Ionic Lodge, No, 25, G.R.C— W. Bro. J. A. Temple,
M.D., W.M.; W. Bro. J. W. Farrell, treasurer; W. Bro. A.
F. McLean, secretary. Meets in Masonic Hall first ^Tuesday
in the month.

Rehoboam Lodge, No. 65.— W. Bro. W. Brydon, W.M. ;
V. W. Bro. James B. Nixon, treasurer ; V. W. Bro. F. Wright ^

230

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES,

secretary. Meets in Masonic Hall first Thursday in the
month.

St. John's Lodge, No. 75, G.R.C.— W. Bro. Seymour Por-
ter, W.M. ; W. Bro. John Eitchie, treasurer; W. Bro. U.
Boddy, secretary. Meets in Masonic Hall first Monday in the
month.

Wilson Lodge, No. 86, G.R.C. — W. Bro. Alexander Patter-
son, W.M. ; W. Bro. James Harris, treasurer ; W. Bro. Niven
Agnew, M.D.,^ secretary. Meets in Masonic Hall on third
Thursday in the month.

Stevenson Lodge, No. 218. — W. Bro. James Martin, jun.,
W.M. ; W. Bro. James Smith, treasurer ; W. Bro. W. L.
Hunter, secretary. Meets in Masonic Hall on the second
Monday in the month.

Doric Lodge, No. 318, G.R.C. — W. Bro. J. Summers,
W.M.; B. W. Bro. J. H. Cornish, treasurer; B, W. Bro. A.
Jardine, secretary. Meets in Masonic Hall on the third Wed-
nesday in the month.

Zetland Lodge, No. 326, G.R.C— W. Bro. R. J. Hovenden,
W.M. ; W. Bro. James Norris, treasurer ; W. Bro, A. Jardine,
secretary. Meets in Masonic Hall on the fourth Friday in
the month.

York Lodge, No. 156, G.R.C — W. Bro. John Fisken,
W.M, ; W. Bro. William Long, treasurer ; David Waterhouse,
secretary. Meets in Masonic Hall, Eglinton, Friday on or
before full moon.

Ashlar Lodge, No. 247, G.R.C — W. Bro. J. S. Donald-
son, W.M. ; W. Bro. William Booth, treasurer ; W. Bro. N.
E, F. Easton, secretary. Meets in Town Hall, Yorkville, on
the fourth Tuesday in the month.

Orient Lodge, U.D., G,R.C— R. W. Bro. J. G. Burns,
W.M. ; R. W. Bro. J. W. Lewis, treasurer; R. W. Bro. G. H.
Gopas, secretary. Meets in Masonic Hall, Don Mount, on
the second Tuesday in the month.

23 1

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Occident Lodge, U.D. — W. Bro. James Wilson, W.M. ;
W. Bro. James Price, jmi., treasurer; W. Bro. John Linton,
secretary. Meets in Masonic Hall, Eichmond street west, on
the first Wednesday in the month.

The Independent Order of Oddfellows. — The Oddfellows
number eight lodges in the city, embracing among the
members many of our most respected and affluent citizens.
It was not until 1843 that the order was instituted in Canada,
when a lodge was opened in Montreal, and six years after-
wards the first Toronto lodge was opened. The aggregate
membership in the city is now said to be near two thou-
sand.

Lodge io8, Bennyworth's Pride, South London Unity
Improved Independent Order of Oddfellows. — This order
was established on 26th of September, 1876. The founders of
the lodge are J. H. Benny worth, P.G.P., and Bro. H. Hider.
This lodge has progressed very rapidly since, the number of
members at the present time being about fifty.

The Ancient Order of Foresters. — This Order, established
upwards of a century ago in Great Britain, has only within
the last few years taken root in Canada, the first court being
opened at the Gloucestershire Hotel, King street east, about
four years ago. Though so recently esiablished the Foresters
of Toronto now have several courts in the city, and some
seven hundred members. It is a purely benevolent institution,
recognising neither creed nor politics in its constitution.

The Knights of Pythias.^ — ''The knights," as the mem-
bers delight to style themselves, are a branch of an American
order, and very effective in street parades by their semi-mili-
tary dress. The order partakes of something of a benevolent
institution, and counts about two hundred members in Toronto
and its vicinity.

Loyal Orange Association. — There are thirty-three Orange
lodges in the Toronto district, and eighteen lodges of Orange
Young Britons and 'Prentice Boys. The total number of mem-

232

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

bers in the Toronto district is about 3,000. It is to be regretted
that the usefuhiess of the order is hindered, and its character
certainly not improved, in consequence of the action of a few
of the officers, who prostitute their official position to aid the
schemes of a certain class of politicians. The order is now
looked upon b}^ many as a purely political organisation, and its
moral influence in the city is consequently far below what its
numbers and wealth would warrant.

TEMPERANCE ORGANISATIONS.

The Temperance Societies in the city are very numerous,
respectable, and influential ; probably none other of the secret
societies have so much power in influencing public opinion as
they have. This perhaps may be accounted for from the fact
that having a clearly defined purpose, they constantly and con-
sistently strive to promote the success of their aims, enlisting
the sympathies of all creeds, and the support of all shades of
politicians. That they have accomplished much is very evident,
perhaps the most conclusive proof of this being that they have
driven the "drinksellers" to assume the defensive, and to hold
public meetings to excite sympathy for them in their trade, and
in doing this their champions brought such ridiculous argu-
ments in support of the drink traffic as to cover themselves with
ridicule. The various orders of the organization are the British
Templars with the following lodges :

Crusade Lodge, No. 4. — Meets every Wednesday evening
in the Missionary Church, Elizabeth street. Paul Stewart,
provincial deputy.

Jesse Ketchum Lodge, No. 87. — Meets every Thursday
evening in the Temperance Hall, Brock street. K. H. Flint,
provincial deputy.

Queen City Lodge, No. 210. — Meets every Friday evening
in the Temperance Hall, Temperance street. James Colville,
provincial deputy.

233

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Sons of Temperance. — G. M. Kose, F.G.W.P. ; John
McMillan, G.W.A. This section embraces eleven divisions or
lodges, meeting weekly in various parts of the city.

The Independent Order of Good Templars numbers
twelve city lodges, meeting weekly and has upwards of 1,500
members, Mr. H. M. Graham being the district deputy.

In addition to the above secret orders there is the Tem-
perance Reformation Society, James Foster, first vice-presi-
dent; John Imies, second vice-president; W. S. Finch, trea-
surer; J. D. Nasmith, secretary; E. M. Morphy, corresponding
secretary.

The Ontario Temperance and Prohibitory League. —

Eobert Maclean, president ; Rev. William Scott, Rev. J. M.
Cameron, Rev. E. H. Dewart, A. Farewell, and E. Coats worth,
vice-presidents ; George M. Rose, treasurer ; Jacob Spence,
general secretary.

234

THE CLUBS.

The Club3.

ATHLETIC CLUBS.

HE TORONTO LACROSSE CLUB.— Lacrosse,
the national game, is exceedingly popular in the city,
and doubtless much of this popularity is due to the
high reputation achieved by the Toronto club for their splendid
and scientific play. Though comparatively a young club — being
organized in 1857 — it is to-day the champion of the Dominion,
and consequently of the world, having won the much-coveted
prize, after five keen contests, from the Shamrock Club of Mon-
treal, in the fall of 1875. Since the Torontos won the cham-
pions' flags, the hardest fought and most exciting games ever
played in the Dominion have taken place on the grounds of this
club. The displays of speed, science, and dogged determination
in the various games played with the Montreal clubs have
excited the admiration of all beholders. From the inception of
the game up to 1875, the Montreal clubs had without intermis-
sion held the championship, and during the season of 1876 they
were determined to carry back to Montreal the prize so nobly
wrested from them in 1875. Previous to the first match the
Montreal players looked upon this as a matter of certainty, but
in the first struggle the Shamrocks found that their old oppo-
nents played with such unity and such scientific precision, the
entire team working together with a machine-like regularity,
that surprised and astonished the hitherto invincible Shamrocks,
who returned to Montreal without the prize they expected to
carry off. The remaining contests became almost international
in the interest excited in the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario.
But the Torontos in every instance proved themselves the victors,

235

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

their magnificent play always making up for any deficiency in
weight or speed. The last game with the Shamrocks ended in a
draw, time not allowing the game to be played out, but before
time was called the Torontos had scored two games to their
opponents' one, thus showing themselves to be the best men,
although the rules declared the match a draw. The Torontos
have played during the season of 1876 nine matches, all o^
intense interest. Out of this number they only lost the first
match with the Ontarios, defeating the St. Regis and Caughna.
wauga Indians, the Ontario, Tecumseth, Montreal, and Sham-
rock clubs. They have now had the honor of beating every club
against which they have been pitted during their nine years o^
existence. Though often defeated in the seasons of their ap-
prenticeship, they have never lost courage or faith in each other,
and now have the reward of their determination. The club
numbers about 150 members. Their grounds are situated on
Jarvis street, and are without doubt the finest in the Dominion.
The field, once a rough hill, was levelled and re-sodded at great
expense, and the members of the club deserve great credit for
their enterprise in undertaking an e^^joenditure, which, at the
time, looked so serious. Considering the performances and
enterprise displayed by them, the Torontos beyond all doubt
rank first among the athletic clubs of the Dominion.

The Ontario Lacrosse Club is the strongest local rival of
the Torontos, having early in the past season defeated the
Torontos in a match for the championship, but in the next
match the Torontos placed beyond all dispute their superiority
over the Ontarios. The Ontarios at one time possessed among
its members some of the finest players in the Province.

There are several other lacrosse clubs in the city, the
Athletics and the Tecumseths, both giving promise of becom-
ing very dangerous rivals of the Torontos ere long. Of cricket
clubs there are several, that in connection with the Toronto
Lacrosse Club being one of the strongest. Base ball, the
national game of our cousins across the border, has also i^

236

THE CLUBS.

admirers in the city, several very fair clubs being organized.
For winter sports we have snow^-shoe clubs and football clubs, the
University Football Club claiming to be the champions of the
Province. There are also a number of curling and skating
clubs.

AQUATIC CLUBS.

^ Royal Canadian Yacht Club. — The Eoyal Canadian Yacht
Club was organized about tw^enty-five years ago under the name
of the Canadian Yacht Club, and in August, 1854, by special
permission of Her Majesty the Queen, the club assumed the title
of "Eoyal." The club house is situate on King street west,
near York street. The exterior is plain and unassuming, but the
interior is beautifully furnished and fitted with every requisite to
promote the comfort and pleasure of its members. The club
also owns a large frame structure, erected on the edge of the
bay, near the foot of Simcoe street, which is devoted to the use
of the members during the summer season. The club numbers
about 200 membars, the entrance fee being $50, and an
annual subscription of $20. Some of the fastest yachts in the
American waters are owned by the members of the club. The
following yachts form the present fleet owned by the club :

Name. Owner. Class. Tonnage.

Countess of Dufferin Major Gifford Schooner 220

Mooja E. Molson, Esq Steam Yacht 160

Vixen M. P. Hayes, Esq... Schooner 95

Oriole W.C.Campbell...... " 40

Ripple E. Jones, Esq " 35

Lady Stanley Commodore Hodder Sloop 35

Geraldine A. R. Boswell, Esq. Schooner 28

Gorilla Major Gifford Sloop 29

Fawn S. Hodder, Esq Cutter 28

Brunette H. Stevenson, Esq. Sloop 22

Coral A. McMaster, Esq... " 19

Kestrel W. Hope, Esq Schooner 19

Rivet R. Elmsley, Esq Cutter 16

Ida G. Eadie, Esq " 15

^ Mazeppa J. Kennedy, Esq. ... Sloop 6

237

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

The Argonaut Rowing Club is an enterprising and highly
successful club, numbering among its members several first-class
oarsmen. His Excellency the Earl of Dufferin, Governor-Gene-
ral of the Dominion, being the patron of the club, Henry
O'Brien, president ; Dr. Spragge, vice-president; and H. Lamb,
captain. The club house is on the Esplanade, at the foot of
York street.

The Toronto Rowing Club is in connection with the Koyal
Canadian Yacht Club, having rooms on York street, between
King and Wellington streets. These clubs have done much to
foster a love of aquatic sports among the young men of the
city, and no doubt but that they have been mainly instrumental
in inciting Mr. Hanlon (a citizen of Toronto) to those contests
which have resulted in placing him in the position of the cham-
pion sculler of the w^orld.

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CLUBS.

The Toronto Club is a social club, in much favour with
the leading merchants and gentlemen of the city. The build-
ing is a plain brick structure, situate on the east side of York
street, between King and Wellington streets.

The National Club is a very neat red and white brick
structure, professedly non-political, but it is generally recognised
as the home of the " Canada Eirst " party, a party whose aims
are the independence of Canada in all things political. Pro-
fessor Goldwin Smith is president ; Lieutenant-Colonel Scoble,
secretary. (See plate No. 42.)

The United Empire Club is the Canadian Carlton, the
headquarters of the Canadian Conservatives. It is a beautiful
cut stone structure, erected at a cost of over $72,000, and is
situate on King street w^est, betw^een Bay and York streets (see
plate No. 35), and is magnificently fitted up, everything that
money could procure has been brought within its walls to j)ro-
mote the comfort of its members. The dining and drawing

THE CLUBS.

rooms are magnificent apartments, and the smoking and reading
rooms are models of ease and luxury. The billiard room is a
large, airy, and well lighted apartment, admirably adapted for
the pleasures of the game. The club has a very large member-
ship. The entrance fee is $30, and the annual subscription
$20. Sir John A. Macdonald is president, and Mr. A. B.
Campbell, secretary.

The Reform Association Rooms.- — The Reformers have
not thought fit to go to a large ex[)enditure in erecting palatia-^
club premises, but they have secured central and commodious
rooms on King street east, near Toronto street, which have been
comfortably furnished, and contain a reading room supplied
with all the principal newspapers of the Dominion, representing
all shades of political opinion. Certainly in this respect the
committee have been liberal enough. Here is found the
Toronto Globe and Mail side by side. The Montreal Herald
and the Montreal Gazette, each giving their different views of
the political questions of Quebec and the Dominion. The
Canada Scotchman and the Irish Canadian are to be found on
the tables. The press of Manitoba and British Columbia are
here represented. Newspapers, journals, and periodicals from
all parts of the Dominion, with the leading American and
British journals, are to be found on these tables. The
Reformers appear to trust more to the literary and intellec"
tual character of their rooms, rather than to the social, to
render them attractive. A very successful literary and debating
society has been organised in connection with tlie association* ^•
and steps are now being taken to organise working men's
Reform clubs in various parts of the city. The Hon, John
McMurrich is president, and Mr. Patullo, secretary.

239

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

PlACE3 Of ftlMUgEJVlENT yVND l^ECREATION.

OEONTO is well provided with places of amusement
and recreation. Her two theatres are unsurpassed by
any on the A:merican continent for completeness of
fittings, and comfort of their furnishings. There are a number
of halls, well adapted for social meetings, lectures, and variety
entertainments ; and the magnificent lake in summer affords end-
less opportunities for exercise and pleasure by boating and sail-
ing, or patronising some of the many pleasure excursions pro-
vided by such steamers as the " Empress of India," and the
''City of Toronto " in trips across or along the lake. The
former boat, the ''Empress of India," during the past season
became almost a necessity to the citizens, and added much to
their summer pleasures by opening out new places for picnics
and excursions along the shore of Lake Ontario. Perhaps no
other city in America could boast of so large an excursion
steamboat, conducted on temperance principles, and no doubt
much of her popularity was due to this fact. It is to be hoped
that the proprietors of the steamer will every year place her at
the disposal of the citizens, and now rid of the meddling and
muddling interference of one or two officious persons, this
steamer .will be more popular than ever. The following are
the principal places of amusement :

Mrs. Morrison's Grand Opera House (Adelaide street, a
few doors west of Yonge street.) — This structure, both internally
and externally, is one of the finest opera houses on the conti-
nent of America ; it is built of white brick, with stone dressings
and has a very pleasing and imposing appearance. It has a
frontage on Adelaide street of 91 feet, and a depth of 208 feet.
The principal entrance is oh a level with the street, through a
spacious corridor 15 feet wide, 50 feet long, and 14 feet high, to

240

PLACES OF AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION.

the main vestibule, which is 24 feet wide by 65 feet long and 18
feet high, in which are the box and ticket of&ces, stairs to family
circle, &c. Beyond the vestibule is the inner lobby, from which
access is had either to the parquet or balcony, or by wide and
easy stairs to the dress circle. The auditorium is arranged with
parquet, containing 304 orchestra stall chairs, parquet balcony
containing 104 chairs ; parquet sofa seats, 218 ; dress circle
containing 370 seats, and eight private boxes with six chairs in
each, and gallery with 600 seats, making a seating capacity of
1,644, and camp stool and standing room for 500 more, every
one having a perfect view of the stage. There are also ladies'
and gentlemen's cloak and hat rooms, dressing rooms, &c. The
proscenium and arch are of chaste and ornate design, and con-
tain eight private boxes. The orchestra is depressed below the
stage so as not to obstruct the view. The stage is 53 by .65 feet,
and is fitted up with all the latest improvements, and equipped
with a splendid and full stock of scenery, curtains, properties,
and appointments. The entire buildiug is heated by steam at a
low pressure from a safety boiler in a fire-proof cellar, outside
the main building, and ample provision is made to guard against
fire by placing on the stage two fire plugs with hose, ready for
instant use, and fire extinguishers are distributed throughout
the building. The auditorium is. brilliantly illuminated by a
centre sun-light in the dome, chandeliers under the galleries,
and brackets on the walls, all lighted by electricity. The con-
struction of the building is of the most substantial character,
and the decorations and furnishing is in the very best artistic
taste and style. It can be made into a magnificent ball room,
being provided with a floor covering the entire orchestra seats.
See plate 38.

The Royal Opera House (on King street west, near York
street) is a very neat and comfortably fitted up theatre, com-
plete in every essential to promote the comfort and enjoyment of
its patrons. It is said to be one of the best constructed
theatres on the American continent, and the seats are so

241

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

arranged that every one has a full view of the stage. It has a :
seating capacity of over 1,700.

Albert Hall is a beautifully proportioned hall, most admi-
rably adapted for chamber and public concerts, balls, &c. Here I
during the season, many miscellaneous musical entertainments, *
lectures, &c., are held. Its situation, being almost in the very
centre of the city, makes it an exceedingly popular place of I
amusement. ^

Shaftesbury Hall is essentially the home of all notable I
literary visitors, and is the chief lecture hall of the city, as
almost all the principal lecturers visiting this city appear before 1 1
a Toronto audience on the platform of this hall. It can accom- | i
modate about 1,700. | ]

Other halls devoted to public entertainments are the Agricul- '
tural Hall, corner of Queen and Yonge streets ; the St. Law- '
rence Hall, King street east ; the St. Andrew's Hall, and the
new Masonic Hall on Queen street west.

Horticultural Gardens. — These gardens, which were first
opened on the occasion of the visit of His Koyal Highness the
Prince of Wales in 1860, are situate on the north side of Ger- |
rard street, between Jarvis and Sherbourne streets, and are a
pleasant and favorite resort of the citizens during the summer
months. The grounds occupied by the gardens are ten acres in
extent, and were acquired as follows : The central five acres
were a gift to the Horticultural Society in 1858 by their presi-
dent (Hon. G. W. Allan), and the outer five acres, the use of
which the society had been allowed by Mr. Allan to enjoy, at a
merely nominal rental, up to the end of 1863, were at the close
of that year, purchased by the city and handed over to the
society, upon condition that they should throw open the whole
of their grounds to the public without charge. The gardens are
accordingly now open free of charge during the summer months
from six in the morning unt il eight o'clock at night, after which
hour the directors have the right, under their agreement with
the city, to charge an admission fee to those attending the pro-

242

PLACES OF AMUSEMENT AND EECREATION.

menade concerts or other performances given during the summer
evenings in the pavilion. In 1863 the directors expended nearly
$7,000 in improving the grounds, building the pavilion and a
forcing house for growing bedding-out plants and flowers for the
decoration of the gardens.

College Avenue is one of the approaches from Queen street
to the University and Queen's Park, and is a beautiful drive and
promenade nearly a mile in length and 120 feet in width. It is
thickly planted with the English chestnut, Canadian* maple, and
other trees on each side, through the centre of which is the car-
riage drive, flanked by a grass border of about ten feet. Under
the trees is a footpath for pedestrians, and a number of ru stic
seats are placed at various well-shaded points. This avenue is
one of the finest in the Dominion, or perhaps on the American
continent, and was laid out in the year 1829 or 1830 by the
University of King's College (now the University of Toronto. In
1859 this, with the Yonge street avenue, which is narrower and
crosses it at right angles near its northerly termination, together
with fifty acres of the University Park, were granted to the City
Corporation on lease for a term of 999 years for the purpose of
a public park to be kept in order by the City Council.

The Island. — A favourite resort of the citizens during the
summer season^ for a stroll along the shore of the open lake.
Ferry boats run from Yonge street wharf every few minutes
during the season.

243

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

PiNANClAl. iNgTlTUTIOf^g.

BANKS.

HE TORONTO BANK is situate on the corner
of Wellington and Church streets, and is an imposing-
stone structure. (See plate 36.) This institution ranks
as one of the soundest banking companies in the Dominion,
its management being characterised by considerable caution,
judgment, and ability. It was established by a number of
Toronto merchants, and from its establishment has enjoyed a
remarkable degree of prosperity. The capital is $2,000,000.
The directors are William Gooderham, Esq., president ; James
G. Worts, vice-president; William Cawthra, A. T. Fulton,
James Appleby, and George Gooderham. George Hague,
cashier ; Hugh Leach, assistant cashier. The bank has
branches at Montreal, Peterboro', Barrie, Cobourg, Port Hope,
Collingwood, and St. Catherines.

Ontario Bank. — The splendid building of this institution is
situate on the corner of Scott and Wellington streets, and is one
of the handsomest stone structures in the city. See plate No. 27.
The bank was established in the year 1857 with a capital of
$1,000,000, the head office then being in the town of Bowman-
ville. The capital has since been increased to $3,000,000, .and
^n May, 1875, the head offices were removed from Bowmanville
^o Toronto. The present directors are the Hon. J. Simpson,
senator, president ; Hon. W. P. Howland, C.B., vice-president ;
His Honor the Hon. D. A. McDonald, Lieutenant-Governor of
Ontario ; C. S. Gzowski, Esq. ; Donald Mackay, Esq. ; A. M.

244

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

Smith, Esq.; W. McGill, Esq., M.D. Mr. David Fisher is the
general manager. In addition to the important branch in
Toronto, conducted as heretofore by Mr. Alexander Fisher, it has
branches in the following places, viz.: Montreal, Ottawa, Peter-
boro', Lindsay, Port Hope, Bowmanville, Oshawa. Whitby, Port
Perry, Guelph, Momit Forest, Prince Arthur's Landing, and
Winnipeg. The Ontario Bank are the financial agents of the
Government for the disbursements connected with the public at
the two latter offices, and also receives deposits for the Dominion
and Ontario Governments at all their branches. The bank has,
since its opening, paid to its stockholders a semi-annual dividend
of four per cent. The reserve is now $525,000.

Imperial Bank of Canada. — Among the number of banks
which have sprung out of the enterprise of Toronto capitalists,
the Imperial stands in the foremost rank of recognised success-
ful and ably managed financial institutions. The bank first
began business in the Masonic Hall Buildings on Toronto street,
and shortly afterwards secured the business, by amalgama-
tion, of the Niagara District Bank of St. Catharines. The
offices in the Masonic Hall soon became too small for the grow-
ing business, and the directors purchased the Corn Exchange on
Wellington street. These premises are situate in the very centre
of the business portion of the city, and have a substantial stone
front, with massive doorway and arched windows, the general
appearance of the whole being somewhat attractive and im-
posing. See plate No. 29. The internal arrangements are admi-
rably suited for banking purposes, the general office being 62 by 43
feet, and 17 feet in height. The cashier's private office is a fine
room in the front of the building, with a general entrance from
the front of the counter, and private entrances to the vault and
directors' rooms. The capital is $1,000,000, of which over
$800,000 is paid up. H. S. Howland (late vice-president of the
Canadian Bank of Commerce) is the president, and T. K. Mer-'
ritt, Esq., (late president of the Niagara District Bank) is the
vice-president, and the directors are Messrs. John Smith, Kobert
Carrie, Hon. J. R. Benson, John Fisken, P. Hughes, T. R.

245

TOKONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Wadsworth, and William Eamsay. The cashier and general
manager is D. E. Wilkie, Esq. The bank has branches at St.
Catharines, Ingersoll, Port Colborne and Welland.

The Federal Bank. — The Federal Bank, established a few
years ago, under the able management of Mr. Strathy, and a
directorate of undoubted integrity, wealth, and ability, at once
assumed a foremost position among the financial institutions of
the city, and is steadily becoming one of our strongest banks.
The capital is $1,000,000. The directors are S. Nordheimer,
president; William Alexander, vice-president; Edward Gurney,
jun. ; Benjamin Lyman, William Galbraith, John S. Playfair,
George W. Torrance. The bank premises are situate on Wel-
lington street west (see plate No. 28) adjacent to the principal
wholesale business houses of the city.

The Canadian Bank of Commerce is the second largest
ba,nk in Canada, its capital and transactions being exceeded only
by the Bank of Montreal. The capital authorised and
paid up is $6,000,000. The bank has twenty-five branches
in the Dominion, and also in New York, Chicago, and Buf-
falo, in the United States, with agents and bankers in
almost every European city. The directors are Hon. Wil-
liam McMaster, president ; Noah Barnhart, F. W. Cumber-
land, W. Elliott, Adam Hope, J. Michie, J. S. Stayner, G. Ingiis,
W. N. Anderson, general manager ; J. S. Lockie, local manager.

The Dominion Bank (King street west). — Capital paid up,
$970,250; reserve, $225,000. The Dominion Bank has seven
agencies in the Province of Ontario, and is looked u-pon by the
mercantile community as one of the most flourishing and suc-
cessful of the young banks. The directors are J. Austin, pre-
sident ; P. Howland, vice-president ; J. Crowfcher, James
Holden, Joseph H. Mead, Hon. Frank Smith, J. Severn.

BRANCH BANKS.

The Quebec Bank. — The Toronto branch of this bank
occupy commodious offices in the western portion of the Toronto

246

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

Bank Buildings. See plate No. 36. The Quebec Bank is the oldest
in the Dominion, having been incorporated by Eoyal charter, A.D.
1818. The authorised capital is $3,000,000, of which $2,500,000
has been subscribed and paid up, and the reserve fund now
amounts to $500,000. The head offices are in Quebec, and for
many years the bank has regularly paid dividends at the rate of
eight per cent, per annum. The directorate is, composed of
gentlemen of undoubted integrity and influence, and conse-
quently the bank has always enjoyed public confidence, and
for many years a high reputation for prudent and careful
management. The important branch at Toronto is under the
management of James L. Scarth, Esq. -' The bank has also
branches in Montreal, Ottawa, Pembroke, Three Eivers, St.
Catharines, and Thorold. The foreign agents are Messrs. Mait-
land, Phelps and Co., New York ; the Union Bank of London,
London, England, and Gustave Bossange, Paris, France.
James G. Boss, Esq., is president; James Stevenson, Esq.,
cashier ; Charles Henry, inspector.

The Bank of Montreal (corner of Yonge and Front streets).
— This is a branch of the largest bank in the Dominion, the
head office being in Montreal. The character of this bank is
as familiar as household words among our merchants, and the
Toronto branch transacts a very large business with our leading
merchants, and its manager, G. W. Yarker, Esq., enjoys the
fullest confidence and esteem of all classes of the mercantile
community. The capital of the bank is $12,000,000.

Bank of British North America (corner of Yonge and
Wellington streets). — Head offices, London, England. S. Taylor,
Esq., manager of Toronto branch ; J. P. Lawless, accountant.

Merchants' Bank of Canada (10 Wellington street west). —
Head office, Montreal. A. Cameron, manager of Toronto
branch. Capital, $8,000,000.

Consolidated Bank (Wellington street east). — Head office,
Montreal. Capital, $4,000,000. Thomas McCraken, manager
of Toronto branch.

Molsons' Bank (King street west.) — Head office, Montreal.

247

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

INSURANCE COMPANIES.

The British America Fire and Life Assurance Company

was incorporated by Act of the Parliament of Upper Canada
in February, A.D., ^833, 3 William IV, chap. 18, Sir John Col-
borne, afterwards Lord Seaton, being Lieutenant-Governor. The
corporators were William Maxwell, James Meyers, John G. Cul-
verwell, David Browne, Kichard Northcote, Eichard Crispin,
Wilham Ware, Alex. Dixon, Thomas WalHs, Eichard H. Gates,
William Stennett, Alex. Erskine, George Munro, William Proud-
foot, James King, Alex. Wood, the Hon. and Eight Eev. John
Straclian, first Lord Bishop of Toronto, Thomas Mercer Jones.
James Cull, the Hon. Mr. Justice Sullivan, A. W. Hart, Messrs.
Gamble & Birchall, the Hon. Mr. Justice Hagerman, William B.
Jarvis, Sheriff of York, the Hon. John Eolpli, E. A. Parker,
Samuel P. Jarvis, Watkins & Harris, E, C. Ferries, S. Washburn,
John Eoss, J. Baby, J. M. Strange, John Kitson, S. Cockburn,
S. P. Hurd, J. G, Chewitt, B. W. Bonycastle, G. W. Haughton,
Thomas Bell, M. Macnamara, James Such, George A. Barber,
John H. Dunn, Alexander Hamilton, Peter Diehl, John Bishop,
senior ; the Hon. Henry J. Boulton, C. J. Baldwin and tbe Hon,
John Elmsiey. The late Honorable William Allan was appointed
governor at the organization of the Company. In October,
1842, the Company was authorised by the Legislature of
Canada to extend its operations to inland marine insurance,
and, by an Act in August, 1851, its powers were further ex-
tended to include ocean marine insurance. By 16 Vic, chap. 68,
the name of the Company w^as changed to ''The British America
Assurance Company." On the death of Mr. Allan, in 1856, the
late Mr. George Percival Eidout was appointed governor. He
discharged his duties until his death in June, 1873, when the
present governor, Mr. Peter Paterson, was elected. Ill health
having compelled Mr. Birchall to resign the office of managing
director which he had held from the organization of the Company,
Mr. F. A. Ball was appointed manager in July, 1873. The pre-
mium receipts from 1834 to 1875, inclusive, amounted to

248

BRITISH AMERICA ASSURANCE C9 TORONTO ONT.

r.OR QroTT & FRONT.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

$4,814,532.99, and the losses to $3,163,599.38, and the com-
pany has now over one million dollars of realised assets-
Western Insurance Company (head offices, corner of
Church and Colborne streets.) — The Western Insurance Com-
pany of Canada was incorporated in 1851. Its nominal capi-
tal is $800,000, of which sum $400,000 has been paid in. The
charter of the company gives the directors power to increase
the capital to $2,000,000. The Western is a company of
which Toronto may well be proud, for it is one of her most
successful institutions, and has earned a name for stability and
successful management throughout the entire Dominion, as also
in the United States, where the company transacts business.
During the quarter of a century that the company has been in
existence it has received upwards of four and a half millions of
dollars for premiums, and has paid during the same period
nearly three millions of dollars to its patrons for losses sus-
tained. For tlie last ten years the dividend paid to stockholders
has averaged ten per cent, per annum, and since 1851 the divi-
dend has been at the rate of 15 per cent., in addition to which
a bonus of $70,000 has been applied to capital stock. Few, if
any, companies on this side of the Atlantic can show a better
record than this. The Hon. John McMurrich is president.

The Queen City Fire Insurance Company. — This com-
pany was established in 1871 for the express purpose of effect-
ing insurances in the city of Toronto, each risk beiog rated on
its own merits, according to the law of average. Since its esta-
blishment the company has continued to grow in popular favour,
and now ranks among the most successful companies in the city.
The directors are now erecting splendid offices for the company
on Church street, adjoining the premises of the Bank of
Toronto. W. H. Howland, Esq., is president; Hugh Scott,
Esq., manager and secretary ; and Thomas Walmsley, Esq.,
assistant secretary.

The other fire companies are the Isolated Risk, the
Hand-in-Hand, the Beaver and the Toronto Mutual,

249

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

the Provincial, the Anchor Marine, and the Canadian
Lloyds.

LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES.

The Confederation Life Insurance Company is the only
Toronto company doing a general business throughout the
Dominion. Its management displays an amount of energy and
liberality seldom met with in so young an institution. Though
established only five years ago it has attained a very large
amount of popular favour, and now ranks among one of the
strongest life companies doing business in the Dominion, and
in the amount of annual business acquired promises to run
the oldest Canadian a very close race. Its directorate em-
braces some of the most influential and wealthy men in the
Dominion.

The Toronto Life and Tontine Company transacts a
small business in the Province of Ontario, but is steadily
gaining the confidence of the people by the promptitude of its
payment of claims and liberal dealing with assurers.

LOAN AND SAVINGS COMPANY.

Canada Permanent Loan and Savings Company. — One of

the most noticeable features of recent Canadian Financial
History, especially in Toronto and the Province of Ontario, is
the extraordinary development of home Institutions, organized
for the purpose of supplying capital to the owners of real estate.
Although the loans may not, in every instance, have gone into
proper hands, or been turned to profitable account, there can be
no doubt, that in the majority of cases the • borrowers have been
individually benefited, much land has been brought under cultiva-
tion, and the productiveness of the soil of the country increased,
while the inducements to invest, in the tangible shape of remune-
rative interest and unquestionable security, have tended to encour-

250

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

age habits of economy and forethought throughout the community.
Twenty years ago the chief sources from whence loans upon real
estate in this Province were procured, were: 1st. Companies
organized in and obtaining their capital from Great Britain; and
2nd. The limited and uncertain resources of private capitalists.
The former, in the early days of the Province, when there
was little or no accumulated capital for such a purpose, did good
service, but they confined themselves mostly to large transactions,
and the loans were attended with enormous expenses, and haras-
sing delays. Their stockholders residing abroad, while availing
themselves of the high rate of interest prevailing here, contri-
buted nothing to the revenue of the country, and, besides this,
their system of lending was not calculated to afford borrowers
facilities for pajdng off their debts. All that these companies
wanted was the payment of interest, which, being sent across the
Atlantic, a constantly increasing drain was created upon the
available resources of the country. Private lenders, men who had
accumulated a few hundreds or thousands of dollars, were few
and far between, and obtained rates proportionate to the scarcity
of the supply, and the necessities and limited information
of the borrowers. From twelve to twenty per cent, per
annum were by no means uncommon rates, in those days,
when the Usury Laws were in force, and were supposed to
fix the value of money at six p'er cent. Attempts had been
made to form building societies in the cities and chief towns,
but their operations were limited and almost entirely local,
the system on which they were conducted was complicated, their
existence temporary and uncertain, and consequently they soon
became unpopular. Well conducted Provincial Institutions on a
sound basis, which would gather into a common reservoir the
small streams and pools of capital lying unproductivel}^ idle or
running to waste, and thence furnish to farmers and landowners,
the funds so urgently needed to enable them to clear up and im-
prove their estates, was still a desideratum which Loan and
Savings Companies have since supplied. Foremost in accom-
plishing this great home work stands the Canada Perma-

251

TOBONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

nent Loan and Savings Company. From the first it struck

out an independent course, and its successful management
and wide-spread operations have contributed largely, to se-
cure for the Loan Companies of Ontario the high position they
now enjoy. The first published Government Returns relating to
these companies are for the year 1863, when the total assets of
these companies in Ontario was $1,586,131.00 of which
amount the Canada contributed $1,034,258.00. The increase
in the capital controlled by these Companies may be seen
from the following table :

1863, Total Assets $1,586,131 00

1868 " 3,521,716 00

1873 " 8,928,350 00

1875 . " 16,911,517 00

The Canada Permanent was incorporated in March 1855. At
first and for many years it had to struggle against prejudice and
opposition, which have now entirely disappeared. Its progress is
briefly epitomized in the following table, showing the position
of the Company at the end of the first year and of the two follow-
ing decades :

Year. ;

Paid up
Capital.

Total Assets.

Liabilities.

Cash Tran-
sactions. '

Reserve
Fund.

Market Value
of Stock.

1855 -
1865"...
1875 ...

31,327
961,981
1,578,328

68,798
1,491,628
3,780,127

33,455
337,172
1,570,540

•t

i6r,735
1,402,712
3,408,720

505,405

113 per cent.
170

Since the close of last year the Company has increased its
paid up capital to $1,750,000 and its total assets now amount to
upwards of Four Millions and half of Dollars, consisting almost
entirely of first mortgages on real estate valued on the aggre-
gate at more than fourteen millions of dollars.

While affordingto stockholders, depositors and debenture holders
a safe and profitable investment, the Company has from time to
time reduced its rates to borrowers, and increased the facilities
for repayment. The system of redemption by yearly and half
yearly instalments, spread over along term of years, was adopted

252

NOTICE

Canada Permanent Loan and Savings Company. — Since
going to press, the Ontario Government returns for 1876 have
been published, shewing the existence of thirty-seven- Companies,
whose aggregate assets amount to $21,789,844. The capital of
the Permanent has been increased to $2,000,000, and its total
assets considerably exceed $5,000,000.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

expressly to suit the circumstances of the agricultural community.
At first entirely local, its business soon assumed a Provincial
character, its ramifications extending into every county in the Pro-
vince. Local appraisers are specially appointed through whom
loans may be obtained in the most remote districts, without the
borrower leaving his home, at the same rates which are obtained
at the monetary centres. The influence of the Company in thus
equalizing the rate of interest can scarcely be over estimated.
The following table, showing the aggregate monthly instalments
required to repay a loan of $1,000 and interest in ten years, will
illustrate the reductions made in the rates of interest :

In 1855 total instalments required $1,656 00

In 1865 " " I5584 00

In 1872 " " i?524 00

In 1876 " '* 1,476 00

As a Depository for Savings this Company has fulfilled a useful
mission. It has now accounts open with 1,325 depositors, who
have at their credit $1,122,885.96. It issues Debentures payable
either in sterling in Great Britain or in currency in Canada,
thus affording to investers a mortgage investment without its
risks and trouble. Everything seems to indicate for this Com-
pany a future prosperity as enduring as its past has been pro-
gressive and satisfactory.

The Head Oflaces of the Company are in its own buildings
on the western side of Toronto Street, a view of which
will be found on plate 14,

253

TOKONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

The HoTEi^g.

HE hotels of Toronto are in many respects indicative
of the city itself. Externally they are solid, unpre-
tious structures, but their internal furnishings and
management have won them a world-wide reputation among the
travelling community for home comforts, and their thorough
cleanliness. Many American cities of smaller size can boast of
more ornate or imposing hotel buildings than Toronto, but few,
however, can equal, and certainly none excel it, in really good,
comfortable, and well-managed hotels, at the most moderate
charges. Everything that money can supply has been lavished
to render these establishments comfortable and attractive. Few
of the palaces of the Old World are more splendidly furnished
and embellished, and no where can the traveller find more real
comfort than in such hotels as the Eossin House, Queen's, or
American.

Most of the first-class hotels of the city are conveniently
located near to the railways, steamboats, and places of amuse-
ment. Strangers visiting the city may depend upon finding in
its public buildings, churches, schools, colleges, and manufac-
tories much to instruct and interest them, while its hotels will
furnish accommodation unsurpassed, and the longer the visit is
prolonged the more will they admire the Queen City, its institu-
tions and, people. The following are regarded by the citizeus
and travelling community as the leading hotels of the city :

The Queen's — (see plate 30 for illustration) — is situate on
Front street, between York and Bay streets, in close proximity
to the railway depots and business portions of the city. It
commands fine views of the harbour, island, and Lake Ontario,
and from the cupola on the top of the building a magnifi<jent
and extensive view of the city and lake is obtained. The late

254

THE HOTELS.

Captain Dick opened the Queen's in 1862 ; it then contained
about seventy rooms. Rapidly growing in popular favour frequent
enlargements became necessary. In 1874 it was almost entirely
rebuilt, and still further enlarged by building wings at the
eastern and western ends of the house, and adding another
storey to the centre portion of the building, which was finished
off with a French roof and handsome cupola, giving a very neat
and pleasing appearance to the whole. Upwards of $130,000
was spent in these additions, and general improvements of the
house. It now has a frontage of over 240 feet, with four side
wings, each 150 feet long, and a centre wing 108 feet, contains
250 rooms, and can with ease accommodate 500 guests. The
rooms are magnificently furnished, hangings, furniture, and
carpets being en suite, and of the most sumptuous description.
Several rooms on each flat are arranged to be occupied in suite,
and have bath rooms and every modern convenience attached.
The ladies' parlour is a very beautiful apartment in' the western
wing, and furnished in a style to satisfy the most fastidious
taste. There are public and private dining rooms, and also
billiard rooms. There is a gentlemen's parlour and reception
room, and every modern comfort and convenience will be found
in this house. A carpenter, upholsterer, and painter are kept in
the house, so that broken furniture, torn carpets, or scratched
walls do not meet the eyes' of guests at the Queen's. The fur-
nishing of this house is not of the gaudy description so fre-
quently met with on the American continent ; everything here
appears to have been done to secure home comforts, at the same
time to meet with the approval of the most critical of visitors.
Under the management of the present proprietors, Messrs.
McGaw and Winnett (who were managers of the establishment
for the late Captain Dick), the high reputation of the house has
been fully maintained.

The Rossin House Hotel (corner of York and King streets).
— The Rossin House has long engaged the highest reputation
among the travelling community for the excellence of its
management, furnishing, and general arrangements. It was re-

255

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

built and re-opened in 1867 by the present proprietor, G. P.
Shears, Esq., who obtained almost a national fame at the
famous old Clifton House at Niagara Falls. The Eossin House
is one of the most massive, imposing, and commodious hotel
buildings in the city. Its situation is central, being within a few
minutes walk of the principal public buildings, places of amuse-
ment, and business portions of the city. It has a frontage of
240 feet on King street, which is pre-eminently the fashionable
business street, and the favourite city promenade and drive of
the elite of Toronto. The main entrance is on York street, and
the hotel has a frontage on this street of 200 feet ; there is also
a wing at the eastern end 100 by 50 feet. The house is noted
for its large and splendidly furnished rooms, and open, airy cor-
ridors. The dining room is 100 feet long, 50 feet wide, 22 feet
in height, and very elegantly frescoed. Many of the rooms
are arranged in suites, with baths, &c., attached, and the cor-
ridors are all 16 feet wide and 16 feet high. The house has
ample accommodation for over 500 guests. The parlours are
large, magnificently furnished, and pleasantly situated. The
billiard room is 70 by 40 feet, exceedingly well lighted and com-
fortably furnished. The charges range from $2 to $4.50 per
day, according to location of rooms. During its existence the
Eossin House has sheltered many of the celebrities that have
passed through Toronto, including His Eoyal Highness the
Prince of Wales and suite. Prince Arthur's suite, also General
Stisted, Acting Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, who had his
rooms and headquarters at the Eossin House for over a year.
The pages of the visitors' register also bear testimony to the
presence of many of the nobility of England and Europe, and
a large number of literary and dramatic notabilities.

The American Hotel (a view of which appears on plate 31)
is situate on the corner of Yonge and Front streets, and is one
of the first objects which meets the eye of the traveller on
arriving by the Great Western Eailway, or by the Montreal and
Niagara steamers. The American is a square, substantial, brick
building, with little pretensions to architectural beauty, but well

256

)

THE HOTELS.

known for its interior comforts. This is one of the oldest
hotels in the city, but was rebuilt and entirely remodelled in the
fall of 1873. Its situation is all that could be desired, being in
the very heart of the business portion of the city, having a fron-
tage on tw^o of its most important streets, directly opposite the
new^ Custom House (one of the finest buildings in the city), sur-
rounded by wholesale houses, banks, Szc, and within easy dis-
tance of the principal retail stores, theatres and, other places of
public amusement. It has ample accommodation for 200 guests,
with suites of rooms for families. The whole house is elegg-ntly
and comfortably furnished. In winter the house is heated with
hot air, and in summer the refreshing breezes from Lake
Ontario make it one of the most desirable of spots, the building
being near to the waters of the bay. Mr. Brown, the proprietor,
claims (and with justice, too) that this is a first-class hotel in
every respect, except in charges. (See plate 31.)

The Walker House is a fine new brick building, expressly
built for' an hotel, and contains all the modern improvements
calculated to promote the comfort of the guests and convenience
of the attendants. The house contains accommodation for
about 150 guests, and is adjacent to the Union Eailway Station,
many of the wholesale houses, and the Parliament Buildings.
It commands a fine view of Toronto bay and Lake Ontario,
' rendering it a pleasing resort at all seasons. The terms of this
house are $2 per day. Mr. David Walker, formerly of the
American Hotel, is the proprietor. (See plate 21.)

The Windsor Hotel. — This commodious hotel, formerly
known as the Mansion House, is situate on the north-west corner
of King and York streets. The premises are most admirably
adapted for the requirements of a first-class hotel, but until
recently, having been under a management not calculated to
attract patronage, the house has not met with that favour which
the situation and general arrangements of the hotel should com-
mand. During the present month (January, 1877) Mr. Scully,
formerly of the Queen's Hotel, and more recently of the Couchi-
ching Hotel, which under his management attained a most

R . 257

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

enviable reputation with the travelling community, has re-
opened the house, after a complete re-painting and re-furnishing,
and now the Windsor Hotel supplies to travellers and business
people all the requisites of a first-class city hotel. The rooms
are large, clean, and airy, and most comfortably furnished. The
table is supplied with every delicacy of the season, and the
cuisine is under able and experienced management. The charges,
$2 per day, are exceedingly moderate for the accommodation
provided, and the whole establishment being under the personal
superintendence of Mr. Scully, no better guarantee can be given
for cleanliness, comfort, and good management. (See plate 32.)

The Shakespere Hotel (corner of York street and King
street w^est.) — This is one of the most attractive hotel buildings
in the city. During the past year (1876) it was entirely re-built
and re-furnished at a very great expense. The building was
specially erected for hotel purposes, and is a perfect model of
convenient arrangement, every modern appliance tending to pro-
mote health and comfort being found here. The furnishing is
everything that could be desired, and the proprietor, James
Powell, is an able and courteous manager. (See plate 28.)

St. James's Hotel. — This is the nearest house to the Grand
Trunk and Great Western depots. Its proprietor, Mr. Abel
Smith, is well known as being for many years the excellent
caterer at the Kailway Eefreshment Eooms, Stratford. The St.
James is comfortably furnibhed, well managed, and the fare
really excellent. It is one of those few hotels where the guest
immediatel}^ feels himself at home, and makes himself at home,
more nearly approaching a thorough English hotel, than -pro-
bably any other in the city. Visitors to the St. James may
rest assured of finding a good table, clean rooms, home comforts,
and every attention. (See plate 44.)

The Johnson House, situate in the East Market square,
is largely patronised by farmers, commercial men, and visitors.
Its situation is central, is very comfortably furnished, and has
accommodation for about 100 guests. A telegraph office is on
the premises, also extensive stabling for horses. (See plate 37.)

258

PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS.

Pf^IJMCIPAL BuiLDINQg.

NIVERSITY COLLEGE.— A magnificent and im-
posing ^ile of buildings in the Norman style of archi-
tecture, beautifully situated near Queen's Park, erected
at a cost of over $500,000 ; see Educational Establishments,
page 209 for full description.

For descriptions of Trinity College, Knox College,
Upper Canada College, and Normal Schools see section Edu-
cational Institutions, pages 210 to 218.

St. James's Cathedral (corner of Church and King streets).
— A beautiful structure in the early English Gothic style, noted
for its tall tower and spire (the highest on the American conti-
nent) and graceful proportions. Cost about $170,000. See
Chukches, page 177.

Metropolitan Methodist Church (Metropolitan Square,
Queen and Church streets). — A splendid white brick building,
relieved with cut stone dressings, noted for its general beauty,
magnificent organ (one of the largest and most powerful in
America), and well-trained choir. Erected at a cost of nearly
$150,000. See page 184.

St. Michael's Roman Catholic Cathedral (Bond, Church
and Shuter streets). — A fine structure in the early decorated
style of English Gothic. Nave 170 feet long, 56 feet in height,
and rich ceiling ; tower and spire 250 feet in height. See
page 196.

Jarvis Street Baptist Church (corner of Jarvis and Ger-
rard streets). — One of the most imposing church edifices in the
city in the Gothic style. Interior design novel and striking.
Erected at a cost of about $100,000. See page 172.

259

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

New St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (corner of Simcoe
street and King street west).— A ver}^ effective and massive
looking edifice in the Norman style of architecture. See page 195.

Other churches worthy of notice are Knox Church, Queen
street west ; Carlton Street Primitive Methodist Church,
and Bay Street Congregational.

Provincial Lunatic Asylum (Queen street west, near Trinity
College). — The largest building in the city. The grounds, which
are highly cultivated and very ornamental, are open to visitors.
See Charitable Institutions, page 202.

The Custom House and Examining Warehouse. — Two

of the handsomest buildings in the city, foot of Yonge street,
near King street.

Near these two buildings will be found some splendid
specimens of street architecture in warehouses, banks,
&c. On Front street are to be seen Messrs. McMaster's ware-
house ; corner of Front and Yonge streets, Bank of Montreal ;
corner of Yonge and Wellington streets, Bank of British North
America, and on Front and Scott streets the magnificent build-
ing of the Briti-li America Insurance Company. And several
other fine buildings will be noticed around here.

Toronto Post Office is situated on Adelaide street, facing
Toronto street. The style of architecture is Italian. It is 75
feet in front by 60 feet in depth, and 56 feet high to the eaves,
but a dome carries it 34 feet higher. The building is of richly
wrought Ohio stone, three stories high, with a basement and
lofty attic in a Mansard roof. The front elevation is composed
of a central break, which is relieved with complex columns and
pilasters, with polished caps and marbled bases, and moulded
cornices at heights corresponding with each floor. On each side
of the central break is a recess bay, and beyond, at each outer
angle, a tower having instriat:d pilasters, and a continuation of
the cornices as on the pilasters of the central break. The
business transactions of the Toronto Post Office ranks first in
the Dominion of Canada, considerably exceeding that of Mon-

260

PEINCIPAL BUILDINGS.

treal. As Montreal is generally considered the first office in the
Dominion, the following statement from the Postmaster-Gene-
ral's report for 1874 of the aggregate business of the two offices
will show their relative position :

Montreal. Toronto.

Postal Revenue $172,322 48 $1-40,801 25

Money orders issued 173,899 18 176,915 67

Money orders paid 833,47775 841,45694

Commission on orders issued 2,707 69 2,794 43

Savings Bank deposits 50,803 00 249,107 00

Savings Bank repayments ... 49,285 46 261,571 87

Total monetary transactions. ..$1,282, 495 56 $1,672,647 16

This is not an exceptional statement, for the business of the
Toronto Office has been gradually growing larger year by year,
until now it exceeds that of Montreal, Montreal has a staff of
one hundred and forty-two employees and an annual pay list of
$63,616.27, while Toronto has a staff of ninety-seven em-
ployees, and a salaries pay Hst of $12,353, or 50 per cent, less
than Montreal. Toronto ranks as the first post office in the
Dominion.

The Receiver-General's Office (Toronto street, west side). —
A cut stone building ; the style of architecture is the Graeco-
Ionic, after the Temple of Minerva at Athens. It is 48 feet
front, by 90 feet in depth.

The Parliament Buildings (Front street). — A large brick
pile devoid of all ornamBntation, unworthy of the Province, but
containing fine legislative chamber and library. It is contem-
plated shortly to erect a better building for the busin3ss piir-
poses of the Province.

The Central Prison. — A very fine pile of buildings, built for
an industrial prison for male offenders.

St. Lawrence Hall (King street east, between Church and
Jarvis street). — St. Lawrence Hall is a very substantial and ele-
gant building in the Italian style of architecture, though its
beauties are greatly concealed from view in consequence of its
abutting abruptly on the street. It was erected on the site of

261

TOROInTU : PAST AND PRESENT.

the old City Hall. The principal front is on King street ; there
are shops on each side of the central part of the building, with
carved and moulded piers on the ground floor, sustaining the
rich entablatures with balconies to the first floor windows. The
entire frontage is 150 feet. In the centre is an archway, with
ornamented bronzed iron gates, leading to an arcade of
shops, the rear of which is occupied as the butchers' market,
having shops on both sides, each shop having connection with a
square leading from East and West Market streets respectively,
which are occupied by farmers for the sale of produce. On the
central roof is a cupola or dome, supported by a rustic base,
with windows, the dome being 17 feet in diameter. In the
cupola is the bell, 2,130 lbs. in weight, also the city clock, the
faces of which are set to the four cardinal points. The whole
is terminated by a small cupola and flagstaff, the height to the
top of the cupola being 120 feet. The hall in the front part oi
the building, on the first floor, is 100 feet long, 38|- feet wide,
with a gallery at one end, under which is the reception room.
(See plate 31.)

City Hall. — The headquarters of the various departments
of municipal government, a plain brick and stone structure,
which must very soon give place to a better and more commo-
dious building. See plate No.- 30.

The Police Court and Central Fire Station. — A neat red
and white brick edifice on Court street, containing the stipen-
diary magistrate's court and offices, and the headquarters of the
Fire Brigade.

The Drill Shed. — A strong and massive-looking building
erected for the purpose of drilling the local volunteers, and
storing their arms. See plate No. 32.

The British America Insurance Company's Building. —
(See plate 13.)

The Mechanic's Institute, on the corner of Church and
and Adelaide streets, is a commodious structure, in the Italian
style of architecture. The building contains a large and com-

262

W, DAVIES C^" PORK PACKING ESTABLIS H M E MT.

MACNAB.^ fVlARSH b.FRONT S' £. ONiTARlO BANK

PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS.

modious music hall, 75 by 53 feet. It also contains a lecture
theatre capable of holding 800 persons, a large reading room,
library, committee, and apparatus rooms, with all the necessary
accommodation.

Shaftesbury Hall, Young Mens's Christian Association
(Queen street west). See Eeligious and Charitable Institu-
tions, page 199.

Albert Hall (Yonge street, near Queen street.) — See under
Places of Amusement, page 242.

Canadian Institute (Eichmond street east). — A very neat
building ; the home of the Toronto Canadian Literary Society,
and also the York Pioneers.

Bank of Toronto. — See Financial Institutions, page 244.

Ontario Bank. — See Financial Institutions, page 244.

Bank of British North America (corner of Yonge and
Wellington streets) is a fine stone structure.

Osgoode Hall (situate on Qneen street west, near College
avenue). — Osgoode Hall, named after the Hon. William Osgoode,
the first Chief Justice of Upper Canada, is a fine classic struc-
ture, erected at a cost of over $250,000, and stands in the
middle of six acres of ornamental grounds. It is the seat of
law for the Province of Ontario, and contains court rooms, and
offices for the superior courts of the Province. Osgoode Hall is
to Ontario what the Four Courts, Dublin, are to Ireland. Ex-
ternally, Osgoode Hall cannot equal the Four Courts in architec-
tural grandeur, but as an interior the Temple of Thermis at
Toronto cannot be compared to that which the goddess owns in
Dublin. In Dublin the Courts themselves are shabby, and the
interior generally disappointing, but in Toronto the Courts are
exceedingly commodious and pleasing in appearance, while the
passages, vestibules and halls are very handsome, and richl}^
adorned. The library is a most magnificent room, few, if any,
legal libraries equalling it. Many fine portraits of emi-
nent judges will be found in the various rooms and halls of
the building. It is the seat of the Law Society of Upper

263

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Canada, wliich is governed by a treasurer and benchers, under
the provisions of the Provincial Act, passed in the thirty-seventh
year of the reign of his late Majesty King George III. A law school
has been established, under the direction and tuition of three
readers, designated respectively, the Eeader on Common Law, the
Keader on Equity, and the Eeader on Eeal Property. Four
scholarships have been established, one for students under one
year's standing of £S0 per annum ; one for students of two
years' standing, of £40 per annum ; one for students under
three years', £50 per annum ; and one for students under four
years' standing, of ^60 per annum. The benchers sit in convo-
cation every term for the admission of students and barristers,
and the examination of applicants seeking admission as attor-
neys, and for other purposes connected with the general affairs
of the society. (See plate 18.)

Masonic Hall. — Head offices of the Canada Permanent Loan
and Savings Company. This fine structure is situate on the
west side of Toronto street, where much of its beauty is lost,
in consequence of the height of the building abutting on to the
sidewalk. Viewing the building from the east side of the street,
its chaste and beautiful appearance at once impresses the beholder,
the elaborately finished front recalling to the mind memories of
the exterior of the stately cathedral at Milan, to which city its
style of architecture is said to be peculiar. The richness,
variety, beauty and general harmony of the numberless perpen-
dicular lines carry the eye at once upwards to their entire
height, and give a lightness and elegance to the whole structure.
The whole of the upper part of the front is carried out in
carved Ohio freestone. The southern end, on the ground floor,
is occupied by the commodious offices of the Canada Permanent
Building Society, the northern end being occupied by the com-
modious offices of Messrs. Lauder and Proctor, barristers and
general agents of the Star Life Lisurajice Company, and
the show rooms of Mr. Hitchcock, the general agent of the Sin-
ger Sewing Machine Company. The first and second floors' are
divided into handsome suites of offices, the entrances to which.

264

PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS.

are through a large and imposmg doorway in the centre of the
buildmg, where a wide staircase leads to the spacious halls
above. The Masonic chambers consist of an ante-chamber,
armoury, coat, chapter, supper and encampment rooms. The
buildings are 102 feet front by 75 feet deep, and are five storeys
high, except the centre part, which is six. They were erected
in 1857-58 by the enterprising firm of A. & S. Nordheimer, at
a cost of over $100,000, and have very recently been purchased
by the Canada Permanent Loan and Savings Society, who, for
many years, have occupied a portion of these buildings. (See
plate opposite Canada Permanent Loan and Savings Society,
page 250.)

Lieutenant-Governor's Residence is a palatial building,
situate on the corner of King and Simcoe streets, and is designed
in the modern French style of architecture. Fine red brick is
used in the walls, relieved with Ohio cut stone dressings, and
galvanised iron cornices painted and sanded to imitate stone.
The main building is three storeys in height above the basement,
with steep mansard roof, covered wdth Melbourne slate, and re-
lieved by handsome segmental domes, lighting the third storey
apartments. Towards Simcoe street the frontage is about 80
feet, and in the centre of it rises a tower 70 feet high, finished
with a very fine wrought iron railing. Covering the main en-
trance, under the tower, is a large handsome carriage porch,
supported on clusters of Corinthian columns, resting on cut
stone pedestals. Along the south front, wdiich looks over the
main garden, and on to the lake, a fine verandah runs along,
and the doorway is deeply recessed with massive cut stone arch
and jambs. Broad cut stone steps lead into a vestibule 12 feet
square. The frontage of the main building and kitchen wing
on King street is 194 feet. The interior of the building is
finished in the most substantial and elaborate manner, and with
every modern convenience. This building contains one of the
finest halls and stairways in the Dominion. The grounds are
extensive and picturesque, and are well laid out with flower beds
and shrubbery. The building cost over $102,000.

265

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Grand Trunk Railway Station. — Among the many fine
buildings which adorn the Queen City, one of the first in im-
portance, if not in architectural pretensions, is the Grand
Trunk Eailway station and offices. It is pleasantly situated on
the Esplanade, directly fronting and overlooking the hay, and
extending in length from York street to Simcoe street. Strangers
entering the city by steamboat obtain a splendid view of the
building, which has an imposing and very attractive appearance.
It is the finest, most convenient, and best appointed station in
the Dominion of Canada, and was erected in 1873 at a cost of
over $250,000. It covers an area of 468 by 125 feet. The
principal external features of the building consist of a tower
170 feet high, and a smaller tower at each end 100 feet high.
The roof is constructed of glass and iron. The central tower
contains an illuminated clock, from which are worked three
large dials in the interior of the station, and also two in the
train despatcher's office, from the latter two the correct time is
transmitted by telegraph over an extent of 503 miles of rail
each morning at nine o'clock. The central clock is regulated
daily by electricity from the Observatory in University Park.

266

FEDERAL BANK. PtAKCY^ STcWART i T/^ POPTtRS.

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

Tr/vDE and CojVlJVlERCE.

BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES.

HE TORONTO BREWING AND MALTING
COMPANY. — The above Company, in 1874, pur-
chased the buildings and business, established eigh-
teen years ago by the late Mr. John Aldred, and by making
considerable additions to the buildings and plant, the con-
cern became one of the largest, if not the largest, of the
kind in the Dominion of Canada. The property has three
frontages, namely, on Simcoe, Anderson, and William street,
the principal frontage being on Simcoe street, and is of
white brick,, with cut stone facings, on very heavy stone
foundations. Beneath these buildings are extensive cellars
or vaults, arched over with brick, and kept carefully at
an even temperature winter and summer. Here the beer
and porter is stored away and kept to ripen, and the stranger
feels completely lost as he follows his guide through the
mazes of these dark and . gloomy subterraneous excavations.
The business of the company, as its name indicates, is that ot
manufacturing malt, and of brewing ; the quantity of malt
made during the season, say, from the 1st of October to the 1st
of June (eight months), being about 250,000 bushels, the greater
part of v/hich is exported to the United States. The company
now brews the enormous quantity of 6,000 gallons at each brew,
being the largest brews now made in this country, or, probably,
on this continent ; and when it is remembered that one of these
brews can be made every day if required, those who like a drop
of good beer need not be afraid that it cannot be supplied
fast enough to keep their whistles wet, or, at all events, damp.

267

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

It may not be uninteresting, even to prohibitionists, to take a
brief glance at the process of making beer and porter; and,
first, we must picture to ourselves the sturdy farmer in the early
spring-time sowing the barley, and afterwards watching it with
anxious care until it becomes the beauteous waving golden
bearded grain we all so much admire. It is then garnered, care-
fully guarded the while from every passing shower, lest its deli-
cate brightness should be tarnished, and its market value thus
diminished, for, in this respect, the ripe barley is as sensitive
to the lightest shower, as a maiden's virtue to the faintest breath
of scandal. The grain is afterwards sold to the malster or his
buyer, and the jolly farmer disappears from the scene with the
golden reward of his heavy toil in his horny palm. The process
of malting th(3n begins by the barley being elevated to barley-
lofts on the top floor of the malt houses. It is then let down
through spouts into large steeping tubs, in which it remains
covered with water until thoroughly steeped. The water is then
drained off, and the barley is thrown in a heap on the malting
floor, where it remains until germination commences, when it is
spread out over the floors thinly or thickly, according to the
temperature, and is turned frequently for some days until ger-
ininition ceases. During this period the malster must be ever
i vigilant, and his men work day and niglit turning and tending

the malt, for a single hour's delay would spoil a whole
floor of milt irretreivably. When sufficiently malted, the grain
is placed in the kilns provided with perforated iron or tile floors,
and heated by ever-burning furnaces below. Here it is again
turned from time to time until it is thoroughly dried. It is then
unloaded off the kilns into malt chambers or bins, where it is
carefully weighed by the lynx-eyed excise officer (who has been
watching the malting process from its commencement), and it is
then locked up by him antil the duty of thirty-six cents per
bushel is paid to Government, after which it is released to the
brewer. But before we commence to brew we must go to the
farmer for our hops. In his hop yard in September we see, the
graceful tendrils winding around and clinging to the tall hop

268

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

poles, and the beautiful and fragile branches of blossoms hang-
ing down in wealthy profusion over the long alleys between the
rows of plants, and flecking the ground with waving shadows,
altogether forming a fitting home for the fairy spirit of the beer,
as the clustering purple vineyard forms a fitting home for the
fairy spirit of the wine. But, now, the blossoms being ripe, a
host of men, women and children come from the nearest village
or hamlet and commence the hop-picking, and the hop yard is
soon shorn of all its beauty. The hop-blossoms, when picked,
are carried to kilns and dried, and are afterwards packed in
bales weighing about 200 lbs. each, which are sold to the brewers
at from fifteen to forty cents per pound, according to the quality
and season. We now return to the brewer, who, after screening
his malt, grinds it between two large iron rollers. It is then
mixed with nearly boiling water, and passed into the mash tubs,
where it remains for a short time. The liquor, or wort, as it is
technically called, is then allowed to run off into, the boiler,
where the hops are thrown in and the whole boiled by steam or
fire heat. After sufficient boiling it is run off into large flat re-
ceptacles called coolers, and when thoroughly cooled it is again
run into fermenting tuns or vats, where it ferments until it is
again drawn off into working puncheons or tuns, from which it
is finally racked off into barrels or kegs, varying in size from 10
to 125 gallons, more hops are put into the barrels, and it is
stored away in the cellars for use. The intricacies and secrets
of brewing are many, and can only be learned by actual prac-
tice. The annual expenditure for barrels in such an establish-
ment as this is very heavy, greatly owing to the carelessness of
its customers, who, by neglecting to stop up the vents and bungs
" of the barrels when they have emptied them, cause them to be-
* come musty and useless. The winter is the brewer's busiest
time ; he is then pouring down money, in the shape of stock ale
and porter, into his cellars, and, if, during the ensuing summer,
it does not come up good and sound, woe betide him — -he had
better emigrate to the Cannibal Islands, or some other equally
benighted land, where the noble art of brewing is unknown.
(Seepla,te28.)

269

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

The Don Brewery.— The extensive brewing, malting, and
bottling establishment of Messrs. Davies Brothers is situate on
the west bank of the River Don. Great ingenuity has been dis-
played by the Messrs. Davies in fitting up and so arranging the
various departments that more business is done in proportion to
the number of hands employed than in any other establishment
of the kind in the Dominion. By using the city waterworks the
water is forced to the highest level in the brewery, and thus they
are enabled to do away with the time-honoured pump. This is
the first, or one of the first, breweries in Canada fitted up with-
out a pump, and the arrangement of the tubs has been found to
be so perfect that other brewers adopted the same style. The
bottling department is very extensive and complete in all its
arrangements, thousands of dozens of prime ales and porters
are ranged on shelves in a large room, and thousands of gallons
in casks on racks, ready for bottling. Here the interesting pro-
cess of washing the bottles by machinery, rinsing and draining
them, then bottling the ale, corkmg and tinfoiling, &c., is car-
ried on with wonderful rapidity. The corking machine is of
English make specially imported for the firm, and (ixcites the
admiration of all beholders by its perfect working. Their malt-
ing department is also very extensive, two large kilns being kept
constantly going night and day drying the malted barley. Hops
form a very heavy item of expense in such breweries as Messrs.
Davies, who largely use English and Bavarian hops. See plate 36.

Messrs. Cosgrove & Son's brewing, malting, and bottling
establishment (a sketch of whose premises will be found on
plate 37), situate on Niagara street, near Queen street west, is
very complete in all its arrangements. The firm is reputed to
be one of the largest brewers ki the city, their ales having a
well known and wide reputation for excellence of quality. The
water used is brought in pipes a considerable distance from a
spring, which is said to possess certain local and very valuable
mineral qualities not to be found in any other water around the
city, and which in some degree accounts for the well known popu-
larity of Messrs. Cosgrove's ales.

270

TRADE AND COMMEECE.

William Copland's Brewery. — The brewing establishment
of William Copland, Parliament street, is well known in and
around Toronto, having attained a wide reputation for the excel-
lence of its products during the many years of its existence.
The premises on Parliament street are well suited for their pur-
pose, being rej)lete with every convenience and modern improve-
ment to be found in the most complete and extensive establish-
ments. These premises occupy three sides of a square, and
have a very large capacity for production, and which, to meet the
requirements of the trade, are taxed to their utmost extent.
See plate 85.

The East End Brewery, established in 1862, and now

owned by Mr. Aldermen Allen, is situate on Eiver street, on the
western bank of the Don Eiver. The buildings are of brick,
three storeys high, and are admirably arranged. The mains
from the waterworks of the city are brought into the building,
and only city water used. The brewery is one of the most com-
pact in the city, and only "XXX" ales and porters are brewed
here.

Gooderham & Worts' Distillery. — Toronto boasts of many
large establishments, but the colossal distillery of Messrs, Good-
erham and Worts towers far above all the other manufactories
or trading establishments of this city in the multiplicity and
extent of its business ramifications. The principal buildings of
the firm (a view of which will be found on plate 43) are situate
on Trinity street, and are massive stone and brick structures,
and cover several acres of ground. This distillery is the largest
in the world, exceeding in capacity any of the mammoth esta-
blishments in the United States or Great Britain, the joroduction
being over two million gallons of spirits annually, the duty pay-
able to the Dominion treasury exceeding a million and a half of
dollars. The daily production of the distillery during the busy
season represents a revenue to the Treasury of $7,000 per day.
The annual consumption of cereals is about 500,000 bushels of
Indian corn, 100,000 bushels of rye, 51,000 bushels of barley,
25,000 bushels of oats, and ten tons of hops. It is computed

271

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

that this firm consumes the fruits of the labour of upwards of
31,000 acres of arable land, and over 8,000 tons of coal is
annually imported to meet the requirements of this gigantic
establishment. One hundred men are employed in the distillery,
but this number represents only a small portion of the men em-
ployed by the working of the firm. To bring 700,000 bushels of
cereals to their vats every year represents a large number of
persons in the carrying process ; to remove over 2,000,000
gallons of spirits from the premises, which latter alone repre-
sents 40,000 barrels, of fifty gallons each, finds employment for
a large number of persons. Every day during the distilling
season 100,000 gallons of refuse are produced, all of which is
consumed for feeding cattle in and around the city. Adjacent
to the distillery are large sheds in which from 2,500 to 3,000
head of cattle are kept for fattening for exportation to the
English market, and the cattle fed at these byres are said to be
greatly superior to Western cattle for export. The cartage of
this refuse for outside cattle alone employs from 400 to 500
teams daily. Immediately connected with the distillery, in fact,
one of the feeders, is the Toronto and Nipissing Eailway, largely
owned by Gooderham and Worts. The firm also hold the largest
portion of the stock of the Bank of Toronto, one of the most
successful monetary institutions of the country, W. Gooderham,
senior, being president. The City Treasury receives from the
firm neariy $10,000 per annum for city taxes. To sum up, the
Messrs. Gooderham and Worts own the largest distillery in the
world, they feed more cattle, directly and indirectl}^, than
are fed by any other establishment outside Texas ; they mainly
run a railway, which is of great benefit to Toronto and the
northern country ; they are the principal owners of a bank,
than which none ranks higher in public confidence. They
directly sustain a hundred families in Toronto, pay the largest
revenue to the Dominion Treasury of any firm in Canada, and
are by far the heaviest local taxpayers. Toronto owes much to
the enterprise and ener.oy of this firm, for a long number of
years they have done much to promote the growth and extend

272

-X

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

the commercial influence of the Queen City of the West, and are
ever ready on all occasions to assist any enterprise or movement
that may tend to improve the social welfare of their employees
or the city generally.

MANUFACTURES.

Safe-making in Toronto. — Safe-making, as a branch of Cana-
dian industry, is of little more than twenty years' growth, yet so
vigorous has that growth been that safe manufacturers have been
able to hold the Canadian market in their own hands, against
the keen competition of British and American makers, and have .
earned a very enviable reputation throughout the Dominion, and
also in the United States. How to preserve the books and valu-
able papers of business men from fire, and the cash and securities
of banks and brokers from robbery, has been the constant aim of
all safe-makers ; but more particularly has this been the case
from the early part of the present century. Since 1801, when
we may say the ingenuity and mechanical skill of Great Britain
was first directed towards this object, over one hundred and sixty
patents have been taken out for these objects, with what success
the business community of Canada are somewhat familiar. Such
names as Chubb, Milner, Hobbs and Chatwood, are as familiar
as household words " with those of our commercial men who
have seen their earlier days in Great Britain, while their con-
tinued- race of improvements to meet the skill of professional
burglars has been the admiration of the civilized world. Safes
are now made that defy the fiercest fires, and keep their contents
perfectly secure and unharmed : but to meet the skill of the pro-
fessional burglar, with his scientific knowledge, appliances, and
magnificently made tools, has proved a much more difficult task,
for here the ingenuity and skill of the trained mechanic has been
met with equal ingenuity and skill on the part of the professional
cracksman. Within a very recent period the burglar almost
kept pace with the safemaker in this race of honesty against dis-
honesty ; but of late years he has continued to lose ground, and

s 273

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

to-day safes are made which promise to defy the attempts of
the bm-giar quite as effectually as they do the ravages of fire.
The burglar-proof safes of to-day, made with welded iron and steel
chilled, interlaced and bolted together, is as far ahead of the
burglar safe of twenty years ago as Canada is now to what it was
then. Attempts to open the modern safe by drilling are not now
made by the cracksman, he knowing full well that here the safe
makers have conquered him. Now he tries gunpowder ; with the aid
of an exhaust air pump he tries to burst the lock and blow open the
door, as was the case until the attempted robbery of the Hochelaga
Bank at Montreal about two years ago. But even here again the
burglar has been conquered by the Toronto made safes of Messrs.
J. & J. Taylor, who have patented a plan of inserting rubber
tubing of a peculiar make in a sunk grove in the jam, and pressing
the door home by powerful lever bars, connected with the eccentric
hinges on which the massive door revolves. By this means the
safe is made perfectly air tight, and the solid chilled steel bars
composing the body of the safe make any attempts in that direc-
tion by burglars, with drills, equally fruitless. The only other
resort left to the professional cracksman is to procure the combina-
tion and unlock the safe in the ordinary way. An instance of
how daringly successful such an attempt can be made is furnished
by the recent robbery of the Northampton Bank in Massachusetts,
when about three quarters of a million of money and securities
were abstracted. After carefully laying their plans the robbers
on that occasion entered the dwelling of the cashier, bound and
gagged every member of the household, and compelled the cashier
to give them the combinations of the safe lock, and thus their
object was easily accomplished. Even this risk can now be
effectually guarded against by the celebrated time lock of Sargent
and Grenleaf, for which Messrs. J. & J. Taylor are the sole agents
for this Province. By those locks the safe may be locked for any
number of hours from one to forty-six, neither bank official nor
burglar being able to unlock it till the time fixed has expired.
These locks are of the finest clock Avork made, each being furnished
with two separate and distinct sets of works, so that should one

274

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

go astray the other would still da what was required. Nothing
appears to have heen done to this important branch of industry
in Canada until 1853, when two brothers, James and John
Taylor, began operating on King street in a small frame build-
ing, now replaced by a splendid block of stores. In a few years
their increasing business required larger premises, and to meet
the demands of the time premises on Palace street were erected.
In 1869, these premises being found too small, they bought
the large factory at the corner of Front and Frederick streets,
where the business is now carried on with a staff of above one
hundred employees. This structure is of red and white brick,
three storeys high, 75 feet front and 160 feet deep. In the rear
of this, the main building, is the foundry where the firm do all
their own castings, the stabling for horses, iron shed, black-
smiths' shop, and filling room. Throughout the entire premises
the machinery is all of the most modern make, embracing the
latest improvements suitable for the special work -to which it is
devoted. The firm have always endeavoured to construct a per-
fect fire and thief-resisting safe, and in this endeavour they
have always kept abreast of the times, and each successive year
witnesses new improvements in both branches. The business of
the firm now extends throughout the entire Dominion, and not-
withstanding the almost prohibitory tariff imposed upon articles
of Canadian manufacture by the United States Government,
numbers of J. & J. Taylor's safes are found in various States
of the Union, and repeated experience has long since proved
that these Toronto manufactured safes stand second to none in
withstanding the attempts of the scientific burglar or the
ravages of the fiercest fire. (See plate 29.)

Robert Hay & Co. — The extensive furniture manufactory
of E. Hay and Co. (see plate 41), covering an area of over
six acres, and bounded by Front, Bay, and Lorne streets and the
Esplanade, was established in 1835 by Messrs. Jacques and
Hay, and carried on by them until the former gentleman 's
retirement in 1875, during which time it was twice completely
destroyed by fire, in the years 1854 and 1856. The business

275

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

continued by E. Hay and Co. (Hay, Kogers, and Craig), is the
largest in Canada, giving employment to over 500 men, the
fruits of whose labour find a market in every part of the
Dominion, besides which considerable quantities of their goods
are imported to London, Glasgow, and other parts of the
United Kingdom, and occasionally to Spain. In 1867 this enter-
prising firm was creditably represented at the Exposition Uni-
verselle in Paris, where, in consideration of the excellence and
cheapness of their work, they were awarded a medal and dip-
loma. Furniture made by them, of elaborate design and work-
manship, had also a conspicuous place at the Centennial Exhi-
bition at Philadelphia in 1876. Besides the principal factory,
which is 200 feet long, and five stories high, the interior of which is
arranged in a most compact and complete manner, and fitted up
with the most costly and improved appliances in the shape of
machinery for the manufacture of their wares, there are smaller
adjoining workshops, and several finishing departments, where
the most skilled labour is employed, in giving to the fur-
niture the fine polish for which it is so celebrated. On the
water's edge, below the principal factory, stands a large store-
house containing great quantities, of goods ready for shipment.
The retail warehouse, a large and neat building, stands on the
corner of King street west, and extends back 180 feet along
Jordan street to Melinda street. Here is always kept a large
stock of the very best work, giving a display of choice furniture,
well worthy of a vi«it, and where salesmen are always at hand
to shoAv visitors around whether they be inclined to purchase or
not. There is one quality remarkably displayed in this esta-
blishment by all the employees ; visitors may always depend upon
receiving the utmost courtesy and attention to ail their ques-
tions. (See plate 41.)

Christie, Brown & Co.'s Biscuit Factory. — Messrs. Christie
Brown and Co.'s biscuit factory, situate on the corner of Duke
and Frederick streets, Toronto; was erected in 1874, and is built
of red brick, relieved with white brick and stone dressings, has
stone basement, and contains in all four stories. Entering by

276

♦5

I TRADE AND COMMERCE.

i — '

the main entrance on Duke street the, visitor finds on the right
the sample room tilled with samples, very tastefully arranged,
of the different varieties of biscuits manufactured by the firm.
On the left is the counting house and partners' private room.
Passing through the hall, we next enter the shipping depart-
ment, a room 60 by 36 feet. Here the biscuits are all arranged
according to variety, and two men are constantly, kept busy
marking them for their various destinations. The order ob-
served, considering the amount of goods shipped and received,
is well worthy of note. Passing to the next room the visitor
finds himself in the midst of the machinery used in the factory.
Here locomotion is restricted, for he is surrounded with wheels,
straps, shafts, and machinery of all kinds, yet everything is so
arranged that the various employees of the establishment can
attend to their many duties without the least apparent clash in
fact, the very proximity to each other seems to be a great advan-
tage, as the dough passes from one machine to another in regu-
lar succession until it reaches the ovens, of which there are two
of the reel construction, and one revolution of these ovens bakes
the goods, when they pass by means of a steam hoist to the top
storey to be packed into boxes, xidjoining this is a smiU bake
shop, with machinery and oven, for fine goods. Proceeding to
the second storey we enter an immense flour storage room
capable of holding from 2,000 to 3,000 barrels. Off this room
are the manager's, mixers' and weighing rooms. Then follows
the mixing room, where all the mixing is done by machinery of
the most recent English and American make. Some faint idea
of the important part played by machinery in the manufacture
of biscuits may be formed, when it is kuown that as many as
seventy-five barrels of flour made into the various kinds of bis-
cuits can be mixed, baked, and packed into boxes in ten hours.
The third flat is one immense room, 60 by 90 feet, in which the
packing is done by lads, with a superintendent. If to this army
of lads we add the weighers, nailers, and box carpenters, the
visitor can form a comprehensive idea of this branch of industry;
and of the enterprise of the proprietors, Messrs. Ciiristie and

277

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Brown. We are informed that this is the largest establishment
in the Dominion exclusively devoted to the manufacture of bis-
cuits. (See plate 40.)

Lyman Brothers & Co. — The house of Lyman Brothers
and Co., manufacturing chemists, is one of the oldest business
. 'houses in the city. Established by J. W. Brent two years before
I Toronto attained the dignity of a city, when its population was
not one-tenth its present number, the drug store of J. W. Brent
and Co. soon became well known in ''muddy York." In 1840
' changes were effected in the name of the house, when it became
^ Lyman, Farr and Co., and from that time down to the present
day the name of Lyman has been one of the most prominent
and one of the most reliable business names in Toronto. The
firm first began business on the south side of King street, in the
block opposite St. James's Cathedral,, this being at that time
the best and most central business part of the city. With the
increase of their business larger premises became necessary, and
consequently they removed to the retail store still bearing their
name in the western end of St. Lawrence Hall on King street.
Messrs. Lyman Brothers and Co. have for a long period been
transacting a wholesale drug, paint and oil business, and their
connection now in this line is one of the largest in the Dominion.
Their magnificent new warehouse, situate at 71 Front street east,
is one of the finest of our commercial buildings; it is 45 feet front
by '200 feet deep, and contains four flats, basement, and sub-
cellar, giving an area of upwards of 45,000 square feet of floor-
ing for storage. The building cost upwards of $50,000. To
attempt to enumerate the variety of articles kept in this mam-
moth establishment is simply an impossibility, but here will
be found every requisite required in the drug trade from store
furnishings, to oils, paints, and patent medicines. The
immense quantities of all kinds of goods kept astonishes
the visitor, who could never conceive that so many medi-
cines were consumed in Canada. The firm ha.ve a large
laboratory on Front street, some little distance east of the
warehouse, which is said to be one of the most perfect on the

278

BURNETTS STABLES i99YONGi::S7 J NO. H 0 E?. BO OT 5( S HOE MANUF"

THos SCULLY LATE OF THE GoucmNO HOTEL PRO, 5I0VEL 8< ARMSTRQN&.TAILORS

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

continent in its fittings, equipments, and producing capacity.
Here a large number of experts are employed in the manufac
ture of pure chemicals. In the manufacture of nitrate of silver,
sulphur, and ether, they stand far beyond all rivals. Their dis-
play at the Centennial Exhibition proved beyond all doubt
that this firm can most succeessfully compete against any other
European or American manufactory in the quality and purity of
their chemicals. (See plate 36.)

Booth & Sons, Brassfounders. — This business was esta-
blished in 1853 at St. Catharines by the late Mr. Henry Gough
Booth. In 1855 he removed to Toronto. Notwithstanding that
Messrs. Booth and Son have on three occasions lost heavily by
fire — having had nearty the whole of their premises burnt down
on each occasion — they have, since being in Toronto, carried on
a successful business, which is now the largest of its kind in the
Dominion of Canada. The chief work they do is for brewers,
distillers and plumbers, and some idea of the extent of it may
be gathered from the fact, that for one firm of distillers alone
they have, during the last twelve months, finished over 80,000 lbs.
weight of copperwork. They also manufacture steam revolving
pans for sugar coating, copper bath boilers, kettles, baths, candy
pans, " Fire King Extinguishers," sinks, soda water fountains,
patent carbonic acid generators, dye kettles, vacuum pans,
rollers for paper makers, varnish kettles, patent Bandelot beer
coolers, dentists' vulcanisers, steam fire engine fittings, steam-
boat fittings, copper heaters for tanners, apparatus for testing
gas meters, standard imperial measures, &c. Booth and Sons'
business is now carried on in two buildings on Adelaide street
west, one a large three storey brick, the other a lofty single one.
The latter is fitted up with forges and furnaces for tinning and
braising the metals. The other building contains macliinery,
viz., steam hammer, lathes, rolling machines, &c., also store
room and office.

J. D. Nasmith. — The premises occupied by Mr. J. D
Nasmith were erected in 1849 by the father of the present pro-
prietor to replace buildings destroyed by the great fire of that

279

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

year. The former buildings occupied by Mr. Nasmith were of
some local interest, having for a time been occupied as the prin-
cipal office of the British Herald newspaper. In December,
1844, Mr. Nasmith, senior, commenced the manufacture of
/ machine made biscuits, one of the pioneer essays in a trade that
is now carried on very extensively in most large cities of the
Dominion. In July, 1870, the present occupant came into
the business. In 1874 the original structure was consi-
derably enlarged and improved by the erection of a sub-
stantial brick building over the whole former yard, con-
taining extensive cellars, engine room, driving shed, and a
capacious flour loft where the raw material is stored. From the
loft the raw material is passed to the Avorkshops in the base-
ment by means of shoots, which saves much handling. In 1875
after a visit to many cities in the United States to gather in-
' formation, &c., Mr. Nasmith commenced the manufacture of
aerated bread by steam power, an article for many years in use
in Britain and the States, but hitherto unknown in Canada.
It is well known that bread obtains its porousness or light-
ness by the formation of several methods of gas in the
dough. First, it is obtained and created from the material of
the dough by fermentation ; secondly, the introduction of che-
micals, as in the various baking powder preparations ; thirdly,
by. the forcible introduction of gas already made, and forced into
the dough in a close vessel under high pressure. The first step
in the manufacture of aerated bread is the preparation of the
gas (carbonic acid) from whiting dust, soda, or some such car-
bonate, by the application of sulphuric acid. This gas, the
same as is used in aerated waters, is thoroughly washed from all
impurities, and passes to a receiver. The flour, water and salt
having been put in a spheroidal vessel (kneader) is mixed to
dough, the kneader is then hermetically sealed, and the atmo-
sheric air contained in the receiver is as thoroughly withdrawn
as possible. The gas from the receiver is now forced into the
kneader by means of a powerful pump, the latter in the mean-
time being in operation, so that every particle of air is charged

280

TEADE AND COMMEECE.

uniformly. When the necessary pressure is obtained, varying
according to circumstances, from 100 to 180 lbs. to the square
inch, the dough is drawn off through a faucet in the bottom of
the kneader into pans, and immediately placed in the oven.
The various points of advantage in this process are manifest.
No change takes place in the constituents of the flour, as in fer-
mentation; no deleterious residue remains in the dough, as in
the use, more or less, of all baking powdei*s ; and last, but not
least to many, all manipulation by hand of this, one of the
principal articles of diet, is entirel,y done away with. (See
plate 38.)

The Phoenix Coffee and Spice Mills.— The spice and
coffee mills of Messrs. Harper, Douglass and Co., and known as
the Phoenix Mills, are situate at No. 107 Front street east. The
premises are of three storeys, built of brick, and admirably
adapted for the purposes to which they are devoted. Every im-
provement which experience in the past history of the coffee or
spice manufacturer has found to be desirable or necessary has
been adopted by Messrs. Harper, Douglass and Co. An inspec-
tion of the premises at once impresses the visitor that he is in
a manufactory where minds of a thoroughly practical acquain-
tance with the business controls, every inch of space being uti-
lized and put to the best advantage. The basement floor is
occupied with the ball blue and blacking manufactory, in the
manufacture of which the firm have earned an enviable repu-
tation. The first floor is occupied with the office, store and
sample rooms, these departments abutting on to Front street,
while in the rear is the coffee roasting mill. This mill, it is
claimed, is superior to any of the mills now in use, being of a
new and superior make, and the only one of its kind in the
Dominion. In the upper floor we find the spice mill, the mus-
tard mill, and the crackers foi* pounding the mustard seed.
These are constructed upon the most modern plans, with all the
latest improvements. The whole of the machinery is driven by
steam power. For the purpose of grinding, two run of stones
are kept constantly running. Thus here we find tliat all the

281

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

various processes connected with the grinding and roasting of
spices, coffee, mustard, &c., are carried on under one roof in an
extensive and systematic manner. The shipping faciHties of the
firm are all that could be desired, the manufactory being adja-
cent to the tracks of the various railways running into and
through the city, and is also convenient to the wharves for water
transport.

Don Paper Mills. — These mills, three in number, are situate
adjacent to the city of Toronto, on the banks of the Eiver Don.
The first, or lower mill, is about three miles, the second or middle
mill, four miles, and the third, or upper mill, about five miles
distant from St. Lawrence Market. The present proprietors
erected these mills in 1846, and in 1847 began the manufacture
of paper. The mills are now kept in full operation, and so
hoTge is the demand for the special papers manufactured at
these mills that they are kept running night and day (Sundays
excepted). They also supply a very large portion of the print-
ing paper now used for the daily and weekly papers of this city
and throughout the Dominion. There is also manufactured at
the mills coloured paper for poster bills, also all kinds of book,
manillas, roll, expressing, tea and common papers, paper bags,
&c. The proprietors have earned a name not always to
be found among paper manufacturers, namely, that of always
putting the full count of sheets in every ream (viz., 480),
and for the accommodation of printers will, when ordered, put
up 500 sheets to the ream. The annual consumption of these
factories is something enormous. Hundreds of tons of rags,
straw, esparto grass, ropes, canvas, and other innumerable ele-
ments used in the manufacture of this useful economy, are con-
sumed at these factories. The firm have a large warehouse,
storeroom and offices at No. 30 West Market square (St. Law-
rence Market) where all orders are received and retail traders
supplied. The firm supply goods to all parts of the Dominion
from Newfoundland to the Eed Eiver. Messrs. Taylor Brothers
employ no travellers. (See ]3late 23.)

282

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

G. D. Morse & Co.'s Soap and Candle Works. — The

extensive soap and candle works of the above firm, a view of
which appears on plate 33, are situate 8it the eastern end of
the city of Toronto, occupying upwards of three acres of ground,
and adjacent to the Don Station of the Grand Trunk Kailway,
from which is a siding to the loading doors of the factory. This
railway facility avoids long and expensive cartage, to general
freight stations, and allows the import or export of goods in
bulk. By this convenience, goods loaded at the door of the soap
works can be freighted to Quebec, Portland, New York, or Hali-
fax without unloading or change of cars. Merchants and other
shippers only know the advantages of such an arrangement.
To detail the various manufactures in this establishment would
take to much space ; the staples, however, may be briefly noted.
First in importance, because of universal use, are the laundry
soaps, of which immense quantities are manufactured weekly,
the firm making no less than eight brands, which are well
known throughout the entire Dominion. The great desideratum
for the successful manufacture of household soaps is the situa-
tion of the works, for, in these days of keen competition, it is
necessary to obtain the raw material at minimum prices, com-
bined with the highest excellence jn manufacture to ensure good,
cheap, and pure articles, which Morse and Co.'s productions are
reported to be. With cheap canal freights from New York, and
ocean freights from Britain, added to the manifest advantage of
being in the chief city of the tallow-producing Province, it would
indeed be singular if this firm did not outstrip the rival produc-
tions of other cities not so favourably located. These facts, no
doubt, in some degree account for the immense increase in the
business of this firm each successive year, resulting in a present
capacity of 1,000 boxes per week in the laundry branch alone.
From the household branch we reach, by an easy transition, the
toilet department, which occupies the entire second storey of the
building. This branch of the business increases with the growth
of the country, and the development of those refined tastes
which invariably attach to advancing civilisation. Early preju-

283

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

dices, especially among British people who have established their
homes with us, gave preference to imported toilet soaps, but ex-
perience has proved Canadian toilets, as manufactured in
Toronto, to be everything that the most refined and aesthetic
could desire. At this establishment every variety of fancy soap
is made that is practically in use, comprising magnums, hone}^,
glycerine, castile, rose, transparent glycerine, &<?., with an infi-
nite number of special brands when large orders are executed.
In these days of gas and cheap coal oil it seems antiquated to
refer to the candle departrnent, yet the extent of this trade in
Canada alone is surprising. This firm turns out thousands of
boxes every season of superior white tallow candles resembling
in colour and finish sperm. Without doubt, Messrs. G. D.
Morse and Co.'s establishment has the most extensive range
of lard oil presses in the Dominion, a distinction warranted by
the reputation the firm has fairly won among the woollen and
other manufacturers throughout the country. Here, again, the
raw material is at hand, the packing houses which yield the dif-
ferent grades of lard being almost adjoining. In addition to the
foregoing specialties, the firm is well known as tallow manufac-
turers, and much of the superior brand is exported to the Mari-
time Provinces and Great Britain.

The Toronto Packing House. — This establishment is
situated near the left bank of the Don river, between Front
street east and the Don Station of the Grand Trunk Kailway
Company. The proprietors are Messrs. Davis and Co., the busi-
ness being established on a small scale by Mr. William Davis in
1854. In 1860 he made his first shipment to England, which
consisted only of a few hams and sides. Since then the business
has grown with that rapidity characteristic of Toronto enterprises,
until now over 25,000 hogs per annum are shipped by this firm.
The hogs are received alive at the packing house, where, after
resting twenty-four to forty-eight hours, they are speedily con-
verted into bacon, hams, barrel pork, lard, &c. The animals
on arrival at this establishment are driven into a pen, >vhich
may be truly described as the condemned cell, when a boy

284

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

quickly attaches a chain round the hind leg of a pig, and in
about ten seconds he is wound up and hung by a hook at the
end of the chain to a bar, and here his arrival has been ex-
pected, for the executioner is in waiting for him, his throat is
cut, and as the position is favourable to the rapid flow of blood,
death is very speedy. This plan has been found to be much
quicker, and the cause of far less suffering than the old
fashioned plan of knocking them on the head, and is adopted in
all the large establishments in the Western States. All the pig's
comrades follow in quick succession, and when dead are slid
along the aforenamed bar to the scalding tub, or the furnace, as
the case may require — for in this establishment two modes are
adopted of removing the hair, the one by scalding in hot water,
and the other by passing them through a furnace, almost as hot
as Nebuchadnezzar's. This latter plan is the most expeditious,
and the bacon so treated is for the London market, the scalded
for Liverpool and the North of England. After leaving the fire
or water, whichever may be his lot, he rapidly passes through
the hands of about twelve men,. who decapitate and wash him
off with a stream of water from the city waterworks. The car-
case is then hung up, split in two, and allowed to hang till next
day, when the sides are placed upon a table composed of rollers,
on which they roll from one man to another, each armed with a
sharp knife and a saw, and each man takes his particular share.
By these means the sides are quickly dissected into hams, Cum-
berland, Stratford, and Staffordshire bacon. From the tables
they pass into the cellars or curing room, where they remain in
salt two to four weeks, according to circumstances. When suffi-
ciently cured to bear transportation, they are sorted out accord-
ing to size and quality, packed into boxes, loaded into cars
(which are brought by a siding up to the packing house door),
and shipped off to Liverpool. The superfluous cuttings and
lean meat are converted into pork sausages (for the benefit of
Torontonians) by two large choppers driven by steam power, and
are sold with bacon, hams, &c., at Mr. Davis' well known retail
store on Queen street west. The side lard is melted in huge iron

285

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

tanks by steam, and drawn off into tierces, barrels, and kegs,
some of which are sold here, and the balance shipped to Liverpool.
In and about the main building are four large ice houses, contain-
ing, when filled, about 3,000 tons. This is necessary for summer
use, otherwise the business could not be carried on. Messrs. Davies
and Co. have facilities for carrying on the business on a much
larger scale, but are circumscribed by the difficulty of procuring
hogs. This manufacture is of considerable benefit to the city as
there are a large number of men employed during the winter
months, and at good wages. The proprietors, keeping pace with
the scientific discoveries in this utilitarian age, are now about to
erect machinery for drying and dissecting the blood and other
refuse, which is said to be equal to guano as a fertiliser. (See
plate 27.)

H. E. Clarke & Co.'s Trunk and Bag Factory.— This, the
largest manufactory of its kind in the Dominion, is situate on
King street west, near Niagara street, and covers a large area.
The premises have a frontage on King street of 104 feet and
extend back to Adelaide street a depth of 416 feet. On the King
street front, or south end of the lot, the offices and manufactory
are situate, the eastern portion being occupied by the box sheds,
store sheds, &c., and about midway between the factory and
Adelaide street, the planing mill and box factory is located.
The manufactory is well adapted for carrying on the large trade
commanded by the firm. In the manufacture of travelling
trunks the whole work is carried on in divisions ; a certain num-
ber of men are employed exclusively in making the cases,
another section covers them, and another lines and finishes
them, and so from the lumber yard to the planing mill, from the
planing mill to the workshop, and from the workshop to the
storeroom the trunks pass rapidly from hand to hand until the
rough dry planks which are seen piled in immense stacks in the
northern part of the yard gradually emerge out of the store-
room the beautifully finished and useful articles so indispensable
to all travellers. The number of hands employed in the rdaking
of trunks and bags is about seventy, but the firm are making

286

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

arrangements for extending their premises and increasing their
facihties for manufactm'ing these articles. They have intro-
duced many novelties in travelling equipage since they first
commenced business, which is upwards of twenty-three years
ago. In addition to the manufacture of travelling bags and
trunks of all kinds, an enormous number of packing cases of
all kinds and sizes are made here, sample cases for travellers,
suitable for light goods and heavy goods, soap boxes, spice
boxes, biscuit boxes, &c. The number of boxes, bags, and
trunks manufactured by the firm number about eighty thousand
annually. At the Centennial Exhibition, where the competition
in trunks and bags was very keen owing to the efforts made by
American manufacturers, this firm received an International
Award for fitness, quality, and cheapness. Their retail store
is at 105 King street west.

Lamb's Blacking and Glue Factory. — The business of j
this firm was first established in 1837 by the late' Peter E.'
Lamb, and is now owned by Mr. Daniel Lamb and his mother,
the widow of the original founder. Mr. Daniel Lamb now
manages the multifarious business carried on in their exten-
sive works. The works are situated in the north-eastern
part of the city, and are very capacious and most admi-
rably adapted, both by structure and location, for the pur-
poses to which they are devoted. The buildings form
a triange, embracing over two acres of ground, the principal
buildings being of brick, and five storeys high. Eleven other
buildings are devoted to the manufacture and storage of the
goods used and consumed by the firm. The firm are extensive
manufacturers of Glue, Ground Bone, Blacking, Superphos-
phate of Lime, and Animal Charcoal, which meets with* a
ready sale, and have exported their products to Great
Britain, the United States, and continental Europe. In
the manufacture of Blacking, Lamb and Co. have achieved a
fame in America equal to that of Day and Martin in Europe.
Lamb's Blacking, Snow Blacking, and Leather Preserve are as
familiar as "household words " in many homes.

287

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

To'dhunter, Black & Co. — The manufacture of chocolate
and cocoa in Toronto, or in fact, in the Dominion, is of very-
recent origin. It was not until 1874 that Mr. Black first im-
ported the seeds of the cocoa tree into Ontario, and this was the
first importation made in the Province for manufacturing pur-
poses. Cocoa and chocolate in our luxury-loving day have become
a necessity in many families, and as their valuable dietary proper-
ties become more known it will become more popular with the
masses of the people. It has been stated by some of the
most eminent analysts that cocoa resembles beef in its nutritive
constituents, and as an article of diet largely exceeds in value
milk and wheaten flour, in this respect differing widely from tea
and coffee, it being a flesh-forming drink, while they are rather
condiments and stimulants. They state that one half the
weight of cocoa consists of fat, and twenty per cent, of albumi-
nous material. In addition, cocoa contains starch, which is
absent in milk and beef, and present in but a small pro-
portion in wheat. Many eminent medical practitioners also now
hold that chocolate, as an article of diet, unmistakably exercises
the most beneficial effect in all cases where there is any disease
of the lungs. Messrs. Todhunter, Black and Co., of this city,
now manufacture large quantities of both cocoa and chocolate,
and a brief sketch of their works will be found interesting to the
general reader. The factory is situate on the north side of Ade-
laide street east, between Church and Jarvis streets. It is a
large three storey building, fitted with machinery and steam
power for the special manufacture of cocoa and chocolate. In
the basement we find the engine, boilers, and mill for spice
grinding. On the first floor are the offices, sample room, choco-
late mill, store and packing rooms. Here we find a large
number of bags recently arrived filled with the seed of the cocoa
tree, which resembles in appearance a large bean. From this
room the beans are taken to one of the upper floors, where the
bean is roasted in a manner similar to coffee. They are then
taken to the cracking mill, which splits the beans, and from
here they are carried to the winnowing machine, which strips

288

WESTERN ASSURANCE COMPANY TAYLOR 3^ WILSON CIGAR MANUF«

FOX &C0 MANUFACTURERS OF POORS SASH BUNDS <5<c..

CRANE StBaIRO COMMISSION MERCHT^ J.H.ROGERS.IUNGS' E R WALKER SONS. DRY GOODS

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

the seeds free from husks and every particle of dh't or dust.
They are then brought back to the first floor and put into a
grinding mill running at a great speed. Here a complete
transformation takes place, the hard, dry looking bean comes
from the grinding mill in the form of a thick, dark brown fluid.
This fluid is run into a large pan, heated with steam, and
here sugar and a slight admixture of vanilla is added. The
sugar, of which only the very finest is used, is ground in a
mill making ov€r 800 revolutions per minute. It is then run
into moulds, when, after cooling, it is fit for the breakfast table^
affording a most refreshing and delicious beverage, such is the
manipulation undergone by chocolate. This firm mill all their
chocolate three and often four times, thus making it unusually
fine. In the preparation of ordinary cocoa a little more mani-
pulation is necessary, but, nevertheless, the process is much the
same.

Wilson's Brush Factory. — The manufacture of all kinds
of domestic and fancy brushes is carried on to a considerable
extent at this establishment. Most of the whole sale dealers of
the Province, if not of the entire Dominion, are supplied by the
manufacturers of Toronto. There is very little intricate work
or machinery required in the manufacture of brushes. Mr.
Wilson's factory is situate on Sherboiirne street, near King
street, and w^as established in 1862, and here all kinds of
brushes are manufactured, from the small toy brush of the in-
fant to the largest domestic broom, or the brush used for manu-
facturing purposes. Here we find brushes made from the hair
of the wild boar of Eussia, the cultivation of which furnish
the Eussian nobleman with a source of income of considerable
importance to him, and here also we find brushes made of the
well known French whisk, which, by virtue of its being so much
cheaper, is far more popular in the majority of the homes of the
p-eople. The business is under the personal superintendence of
Mr. Wils<in, who has had a lojig practical experience in brush
manufactures, and, like most other of the city's manufacturing
establishments, keeps pace with the growth of the Province.

T 289

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Heintzman & Co.'s Piano Manufactory. — The pianos

manufactured by this hrm, which was estabhshed in 1860, have
given the highest satisfaction to all their patrons from its esta-
blishment, the instruments comparing favom^abl}' and equally to
those of the most celebrated makers. Messrs. Heintzman
appear to Have followed the principle of the celebrated English
makers, namely, that of allowing the instruments to build up
their own reputation, feeling assured that the intrinsic worth of
their instruments will attain for the firm the distinction of being
first-class piano manufacturers. The Heintzman piano is a very
strong favourite wherever introduced, often being preferred be-
fore those of the most celebrated American makers. This is
more especially the case after a few years' trial and close com-
parison. Then the one great distinctive feature of the Heintz-
man piano becomes clearly manifest, namely, its lasting quality.
In this respect the unanimous testimony of all who use them
places this instrument beyond all rivals. Mr. Heintzman, in
187'i, invented and patented an improvement in the mechanism
of the piano, which has resulted . more successfully than the
most sanguine expectations of the inventor ever anticipated.
This improvement consists of a metal bridge, which not only
forms an agraffe of the finest character, imparting a clearness
and purity of tone in the treble, not excelled in any piano manu-
factured, but strengthens the "instrument in the weakest part.
Of all pianos, the charming brilliancy of the upper notes are
wonderful. Mr. Heintzman has spent upwards of forty years
in piano manufacture, being one of the oldest, if not the oldest
on the continent. Since their establishment in Canada the firm
have manufactured nearly two thousand pianos. The factory is
situated on King street, adjoining the Eossin House Hotel, is a
commodious four storey brick building, very comj)act and well
ada, ted for the manufacturing purposes to which it is devoted.
The first fioo" is occupied as office, show, and packing rooms.
The second floor is devoted to regulating and finishing pianos-
On this floor there is also a very spacious ' show room, where a
large number of pianos of various styles are always kept in

290

HEJNTZMAN & C? H5 5cH7 KIHQ ST WEST.

tra.de and commece.

stock. The third floor is occupied by the case, key, and sound-
ing board makers. The fourth flojr is exchisively devoted to
varnishing and finishing. Thus, under one roof, we find ever}^
process of the piano manufacture carried on, a large number of
fii'st-c^ass workmen being constantly employed, under the per-
sonal superviB'':: of Mr. Heintzman, whose long experience is a
sufficient guarantee of excellent arrangement and successful
management. Ail the lumber used in this factory is of choice
selection and thoroughly seasoned, of v/hich they keep a large
stock on hand. It is a matter of gratification to Canadians to
know, that in their midst they have a piano manufactory that
can compete with the best American firms in making a piano
combining ail the rec|ui:-:.4.j elem-ents of external beauty, rich-
ness and fullness of tone, and above all noted for its lasting
qualities — an instrument that finds its most ardent advocates in
the homos where it is constantly used. Messrs^ Heintzman
have obtained eleven diplomas at various exhibitions in Canada
and the United States, and w^ere awarded a medal and highest
awards at the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia.

Messrs, Hastings & Peterkin's planing mill, Bay street,
opposite Temperance street, is one of the largest establishments
of its kind in the city. The building is a substantial structure,
four storeys in height, fitted up with the most modern machinerj^
The peculiar feature of this firm is the wonderfully fine scroll
and fret work executed by them. We here saw some of the
finest rope moulding, scrolls, and filagree work, executed with an
astonishing rapidity. Under the hands of their skilful workmen
and splendid machinery, a piece of plain board soon became
transformed into a work of art. The firm do a large business in
doors, sashes, and blinds, and carry on a large business as
dealers in lumber, shingles, &c. (See plate 39.)

Taylor & Wilson. — There are some fifteen or twenty^ firms
in the city engaged in the m.anufacture of cigars, all of whom
claim to be able to furnish the choicest and most fragrant weed.
Some of the firms trust to the popular names affixed to their
productions to command a sale, others to the inherent qualities

291

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

of the cigars themselves, and other firms rely upon a past repu-
tation or the injunctions of the law courts to entice the smoking
population to favour their goods. The firm of Taylor and
Wilson, a view of whose saleroooms will be seen on plate 34,
manufacture all descriptions of cigars, many of which are
known by the trade as leading brands. The ever popular
"Maple Leaf" brand is most extensively knoAvn, not only
among smokers, with whom it is a great favourite, but also
among the legal fraternity, as having been the cause of consi-
derable attention in the courts of the Province in consequence
of exciting the jealous ire of another maker. The firm have
every facility for the transaction of a large business, and are
continually extending their list of customers. Their city trade
is large, and outside they supply many extensive dealers
throughout the Province. All the cigars of their manufacture
are recognised as standard goods, their aim being to maintain a
reputation for fine quality in each and every style of the brands.
Their factory is on the west side of Bay street, between King
and Adelaide streets, where they employ a large number of
hands, many of the best workmen of the city being in their
employ. Messrs. Taylor and Wilson have had a large expe-
rience, and personally superintend the business.

Copp, Clark & Co.— This firm, who are printers, stationers,
booksellers, &c., continue the business established in 1842 by
the late Hugh Scobie, and the reputation of the firm is well
known throughout the entire Dominion. The business was con-
ducted on King street until 1870, when the requirements of their
increasing trade compelled the firm to secure larger premises on
Colborne street. At the present time the firm have two large
establishments, the wholesale warehouse on Front street, and
the marfufactory on Colborne street. The warehouse oii Front
street is a large brick building, with a somewhat attractive iron /
front, consisting of five floors, all of which are nearly 200 feet
long. This warehouse is devoted exclusively to the publishing
and wholesale trade. In the lower flats are the stationery de-
partments. The third floor is devoted to miscellaneous books

292

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

and Bibles, the fourth to school books and fancy goods, and the
fifth to such miscellaneous articles as are not in such constant
demand as the others. The stacks of envelopes, paper, and
such like goods to be seen at times makes one wonder where a
market can be found for it all. The manufactory on Colborne
street is a double building of white brick, containing four fiats,
the first baing occupied by the offices, storeroom, engine, power
presses, lithographic and printing machines. On the second
floor is the compositors' department in the east building, and
the hand lithographic and copperplate in the western. The
third flat is devoted to the manufacture of blank books, letter-
press bookbinding, and similar work, with rooms for artists
and engravers, while on the fourth flat will be found a number
of girls engaged in folding, stitching, and otherwise making
ready for the binders below. One feature of the business o*f
Copp, Clark and Go. deserves especial notice : it is the only house
in Canada (and there are bat few seen in the United States)
where the whole business of printing — letterpress and litho-
graphic, engraving, blank book manufacture, and letterpress
binding is carried on under one roof, with these facilities and
advantages. The firm are able to complete work where punc-
tuality and promptness are essential in a manner not attain-
able by houses that have to wait upon one another. We may
add that Copp, Clark and Co. undertake all kinds of book and
job printing and lithography, every description of mercantile
forms, as well as the most elaborate maps and plans. Kespect-
ing their work in this department it may be suflicient to say
that the sp3cial maps in the Canadian Exhibit at the Centennial
Exposition, which were pronounced superior to any others,
English or American, were lithographed by this firm, while their
highly attractive and artistic show cards are well known over the
Dominion.

Messrs. Eichhorn & Carpenter's Cigar Manufactory. —

The cigar factory of Messrs. Eichhorn & Carpenter is situate at
No. 77 Front street east, and gives employment to a large num-
ber of hands. Mr. Eichhorn was for many years manager for

293

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Mr. 0. P. Reid ; and it was while under his management that
the firm attained its popularity for the quality and manufacture
of its cigars. The premises occupied by Messrs. Eichhorn &
Carpenter are most admirably adapted for the purpose, and
have every facility for the transaction of a large business. They
strive to manufacture the best possible domestic cigars, and
many of the brands, such as the " Squirrel " and " Defiance,"
are among the most popular cigars favored by the lovers of the
weed. The manufacture of these goods is under the personal
supervision of Mr. Eichhorn.

Messrs. Withrow & Hillock are the proprietors of one of
the most complete and efficient wood working establishments in
the city, known as the East Toronto Planing Mill, and door, sash,
blind, wood turning and moulding factory. The building is 42
by 100 feet, is built of the finest brick, four storeys in height,
including the basement. The western wing of the building con-
tains the engine room, with a 70 horse-power engine, fuel
rooms, &c. The shops are replete with the best machinery of
the several kinds, and the firm are at any moment prepared to
furnish all the usual requisites of the building trade in any quan-
tity. All the joiner work in connection with this establishment is
kiln dried. In addition to their business as manufacturers they
carry on a large business as dealers in lumber, shingles, sashes,
sewer pipes, &c., a large stock of which is constantly kept on
hand in. their extensive yard adjoining the mill. Mr. Withrow,
the senior partner, is one of the most active and enterprising of
the city aldermen, is chairman of the Public Works Com-
mittee, and also a member of all the important committees.
(See plate 38.)

S. M. Peterkin's Wood Carving and Picture Frame Store

is situate at 71 Queen street west, and is the largest of its kind
on Queen street west; and here will always be found a varied
and valuable assortment of choice wood carving, executed upon
the premises. The stock also contains a well assorted variety
of chromos, oil paintings, engravings, photographs, mirrors, &c.
Mr. Peterkin's stock is well worthy of examination.

294

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

Canada Stained Glass Works. — The stained glass works of
Mr. Joseph McCausland is the only one of its kind in the city,
and we believe that in this branch of his business he stands
without a rival. During a recent visit to his establishment it
was our good fortune to see one of the choicest and most
artistic specimens of glass painting and staining ever produced
in the Dominion. At the late Centennial Exhibition, Mr.
McCausland contributed some sj)lendid specimens of the Avork
produced at his establishment — work which was not only a credit
to the ability of his work, but albo to the city. Mr. McCausland
also conducts a large house painting and decorative business, and
is well known throughout the Province for the beauty and excel-
lence of his banner painting.

Messrs. Whittier, Son & Co., Manufacturing Chemists,
have recently fitted up an extensive warehouse and laboratory
at 102 Front street west. The premises are roomy and well
lighted, extending through to the next street, and include three
storeys and a basement. In the basement are the engine and
boiler, and a large quantity of machinery and appliances pecu-
liar to the business, a striking feature being a grinder, or mill,
which makes 800 revolutions per minute. There are also stills,
evaporators, retorts, &c., in almost endless variety, in which
herbs, gathered in Europe, the United States, and Canada, are
being treated in the most ingenious and skilful manner. They
are ground, dissolved, evaporated, and dried, the medicinal pro-
perties being carefully preserved, while the refuse portions are
thrown into the furnace for fuel. On the ground floor are the
of&ces and an elegant sample room. On the second floor is a
room devoted to the compounding and putting up of medicines,
the remainder of the space being devoted to storage and machi-
nery. On the third floor are stored large quantities of herbs
and other raw materials ready to be operated upon. At present
nearly all the herbs are imported, but the projectors of the
enterprise hope, ere long, to manufacture largely of herbs from
Canadian growth, which are to be found in large quantities in
different parts of the Dominion, but which are now, year after

295

TORONTU : PAST AND PRESENT.

year, going to waste, because their value is unknown. Among
the compounds manufactured by this firm sugar-coated pills of
various kinds constitute an important feature, the quantity that
they turn out daily of this one class of medicines being such
that we would consider it a tolerably important industry of itself.
The venture of these enterprising gentlemen is one whose impor-
tance can hardly be overrated, as it promises not only to furnish
retail chemists with articles of home manufacture which they
have hitherto been compelled to import, but to build up an ex-
port trade out of Canadian products that have hitherto been
allowed to go almost entirely to waste.

Messrs. Fox & Co.'s planing mill is situate on King street
west, near Brock street, and is one of the most compact and
complete planing and sash factories in the city. The mill,
which fronts on King street and abuts on to Charlotte street, is
replete with the best machinery, erected with a special view to
turning out the largest passible amount of work in the shortest
given time. The firm are dealers in timber and general house
building materials, having a commodious yard in the rear of the
mill. For view of premises see plate 34.

William Barchard's Packing Case Factory is situated
on Duke street, near Berkeley street. Here the major part of
tlie innumerable varieties and sizes of packing boxes which the
requirements of a city with so many multifarious kinds of
manufactures as the city of Toronto, arj manufactured. Here
are made the small c"gar box and the large case for the dry-
goods merchant or the piano manufacturer. Mr. Barchard on
an average makes over 300,000 boxes per annum. Adjoining
his workshop is a large and well stocked lumber yard, contain-
ing sawn lumber of all kinds. Mr. Barchard is one of the
pioneers of Toronto. Arriving in Canada in 1833 he took up
his residence in what was then in reality little York. For many
3^cars he worked as an operative, running the first circular saw
that was put up in the city when in the employ of Messrs.
Manning and Coleman. In 1858 he began business on his own
account upon the lot he now occupies- The whole amount of

296

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

his capital at that time consisted of $7 ; with this sum he pur-
chased a load_ of lumber at a yard on Yonge street, which he
made into boxes, and then sold them to the city merchants.
From this small beginning, after years of hard perseverance,
his business has grown to be one of the largest of its kind in the
city. Mr. Barchard is a member of the York Pioneers Society,
and is able and at all times willing to enter into a conversation
about Toronto in the past, and the struggles of the early
settlers in and around the Queen City.

Hunter, Rose, & Co. — The name of Hunter, Eose, and
Co. is as familiar as a " household word " throughout the entire
length and breadth of the Dominion of Canada. Whether in
the crowded cities, the busy towns, the rising villages, or in the
backwoods settlements, some of the works of the house may be
found. The firm of Hunter, Eose, and Co. is the largest and
most complete of its class in the Dominion of Canada. For a
period of ten years it printed the official documents, reports, [^-''^
&c., for the Parliament of the Dominion, and in 1860 opened a
branch establishment on King street in this city, and undertook,
under the Sandfield Macdonald ministry, the public printing of
the Province, and has still continued under the different admi-
nistrations to perform that work. Shortly after opening their
branch in Toronto the firm launched into the publishing busi-
ness under our copyright laws, and their business grew so
rapidly that the branch house soon became the principal esta-
blishment. The business having outgrown the capacity of their
establishment on King street, they began the erection of their
present premises on Wellington street, which they entered in
1875. These premises which, in external appearance, internal
capacity and completeness, surpass any other printing and
binding establishment in the Dominion, are situated on Welling-
ton street west, between Yonge and Bay streets, and have a
frontage of 36 feet, four storeys in height, are built of fine
white pressed brick, finished with stone dressings, and extend
back to a depth of 161 feet. Upwards of one hundred and fifty
hands are at at present employed in the various departments of

297

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

the house. In the press room on the basement floor are ten
machines of the most recent American make, all run by steam
power. On this floor also is the electrotyping and stereotyping
departments. The front portion of the first floor is occupied by
the general offices, the private offices of the members of the
firm, the sample and store room, and behind these a large, airy,
well lighted room, devoted to the compositors, about fifty of
whom are here employed. The upper floors are devoted to the
binders, folders, and trimmers, and the numberless machines
necessary in this branch. To give some idea of the industry of
this house it is only necessary to say that, in addition to their
regular commercial job printing, they havo, during the past four
years, issued from their office upwards of 140,000 volumes of
literature, 80,000 volumes of which were reprints of British
authors, on which they have paid royalty. For their customers
they have also issued over 50,000 volumes of parliamentary
documents and Ontario statutes, and 90,000 volumes of general
literature, reprints, and original works of British, Canadian, and
American authors, and they have also printed and bound nearly
2,000,000 schoolbooks, and thousands of copies of pamphlets.
At the Centennial Exhibition, held in Philadelphia in 1876, the
firm exhibited a number of books printed and bound in their
establishment, for which they were awarded an International
medal for excellence of printing and the publishing of good
books.

Charles Boeckh's Brush Factory. — A very large business
in the manufacture of brushes of all kinds is carried on in
Toronto, the largest establishmcDts in the Province being situate
here. Among the largest manufactories of this kind in the
Dominion is the factory of Charles Boeckh. It is assuredly by
far the largest in Toronto. This establishment is situated on
York street, immediately opposite the Eossin House. It was
established in 1850, when the manufacture of the superior kind
of brushes was altogether unknown in Canada. Without asking
for a bonus, as is the fashion in these days, Mr. Boeckh, guided
by the encouraging advice of a few leading merchants, trans-

298

H.MPAoAN/is^k Co. E.S.M

STATIONERS^ BOOKBINDERS. PAPER BOX MANUFACTORY.

50 ONTARIO . HALL. CHURCH ST,

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

ferrecl his business from New York to Toronto, and by his prac-
tical knowledge, close attention, and general business character,
he has met with a very satisfactory measure of success. The
factory is a large substantial brick building, three storeys high.
The first floor contains the show room, offices and shipping
department. The second floor is devoted to the manufacture
of fine varnish brushes, and the third is the paint brush and
bristle preparing, and miscellaneous brushmaking department.
Every class of brushes are now manufactured here ; but Mr.
Boeckh has earned a special reputation for the manufacture
of brushes used by painters, tarnishers, plasterers, and furni-
ture makers; in fact these brushes are considered superior to any
others in the American or European markets. The chisel-
shaped, oval, and flat varnish brushes of finest French bristles,
broken in, ready for use, for the finest car, coach and picture
varnishing, are in reality brought to perfection. The paint and
kalsomine brushes are made of the best stock of bristles, im-
ported direct from Russia, and are manufactured by the most
skilful workmen. No better criterion of the character of Mr.
Boeckh's goods can be than that they were considered surpassed
by none during the late Centennial Exhibition, and the jurors
recommended that his exhibit be sent to the Australian Exhibi-
tion, and the Dominion Government, acting on this recommend-
ation, have accordingly sent all the sample exhibits of Mr.
Boeckh to Australia.

Messrs. Northrop & Lyman's Patent Medicine Warehouse
is situated in the southern portion of the Rankin Block, on ^
Scott street. This firm first begun business at Newcastle, in ;
1854, but removed to Toronto in 1874, their business having \
grown to such a size it was impossible for them to supply their
customers from that point for want of proper facilities for ship-
ping. They are now the largest dealers in patent medicines in
the Dominion. The quantities of goods handled by this house
is something enormous ; the thousands upon thousands of cases
annually passing through their warehouse is most astonishing,
and the business is rapidly increasing year by year. At the pre-

299

TOE,ONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

sent time their weekly business exceeds in amount the sales
made during the whole of the first year of the firm's history.
Messrs. Northrop & Lymin are proprietors and marmfacturers
of Dr. Thomas's "Eclectric Oil," of which enormous quantities are
sold, and tlie popularity of which has caused several unprincipled
persons to endeavour to sell imitation oils, calling them Elec-
tric" or ''Electron" oils, and when you ask for Dr. Thomas's
Eclectric Oil they hand out their imitations, so persons pur-
chasing have need be careful to see that they get the genuine
oil. They are also the Canadian Agents for Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co.'s
celebrated medicines. The firm consists of Henry S. Northrop
and John Lyman.

John Holmes' Boot and Shoe Factory. — The warehouse of
John Holmes is a very attractive structure, situate on Front
street, adjoining the magnificent structure of the British America
Insurance Company's Offices. It is built of red and white brick,
with iron dressings, is four storeys in height, and has a frontage
of 30 feet, and a depth of about 105 feet. The factory is one of
the best known in the Dominion for the manufacture of fine
goods, Mr. Holmes having the reputation of standing first among
the manufacturers of this special line of goods in the Province.

H. McAdams & Co., Ontario Hall, 50 Church Street,

wholesale stationers, booksellers, manufacturers of shipping
.and jewellers' tags, dealers in coloured surface papars, embossed
and gilt ; card stock and cut cards of every colour, tint and
quality, including Bristol, railroad ticket, ivory, enam3ls, with
everything new in Scotch marbles, granites, arabesques, snow-
flakes, &c. They claim to be the first manufacturers of card-
board in the Dominion, having opened the trade in Montreal in
1871-2 ; through them it has sprung into an important branch
of industry, entitled to the encouragemsnt of all well wishers and
supporters of home manufacture and enterprise. The Toronto
establishment was started with the view* of developing more ex-
tensively the western trade, and supplying the continuous de-
mand from that direction. Having found sufficient trade to fully
occupy their energies in the western Provinces, the present

300

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

members of the firm concluded their connection with their origi-
nal partners in Montreal, and now hold the business in them-
selves. In addition to their book-binding, stationery, &c., they
offer special advantages to the printing trade and dealers in cut
cards. Having been the first to introduce the specialty of cutting
from the boards, possessing every facility therefor, they are now
able to supply orders for any shapes or sizes on the shortest notice.

E. S. Merrell & Co., Paper Box Manufacturers, Ontario
Hall. — The firm of E. S. Merrell Co. has only been in
business since i\.pril ist, 1877, but already they are doing the
largest business in the city, with a trade that is increasing every
day ; they occupy the north store No. 50 Church Street, as a sale
and sample room, where will be found upon their tables, samples
of boxes from the largest shoe and shelf box to the smallest
velvet lined boxes They make a specialty of jewellers' velvet and
silk lined boxes and trays, glove, handkerchiof, ribbon and fancy
boxes of all kinds, cornucopias and holiday boxes of every des-
cription : in fact everything in the box line can be found at their
factory. Their business relations with the States are such that
they can buy their stock at much lower figures than any other
house in the Dominion, so they can sell at prices that defy com-
petition. They are always pleased to show their stock to all
who may call, and we are satisfied that all who call will be
pleased with their visit.

McColl, Stock & Anderson — The firm of McColl, Stock & |/
Anderson is exclusively engaged in the trade of lubricating oils,
and American refined lamp oil, embracing every grade of
. machinery oils from that which is used for oiling watches and
clocks, or sewing machines, and the various grades of machinery
used in all kinds factories and mills, to that of railroads and
steamboats. Their oils are largely composed of petroleum,
chiefly American, prepared by certain processes, the knowledge
of which has been acquired by years of experience, and this
product of nature is found to be specially adapted for lubricating
purposes. Their special brands of machinery oils, are the

301

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

"Globe Machine Oil," "Challenge Lubricator," and others.
These brands being fine natural oils seemingly compounded by
nature, are the best lubricators known at the present time ; when
applied they adhere to the surface of the metal, filling the finest
inequalities ; they also act as a preventative of heating, an in-
estimable quality in a lubricant. The development of the
trade in petroleum oils for machinery lubricating purposes, in
the Dominion, is largely due to the energy with which the fact
of its superior merits has been brought before the manufacturers
by individual members of this firm. Mr. George B. Stock has
been identified with the oil trade ever since the introduction of
petroleum as a lubricator, and was among the first to present its
superior merits to the manufacturing industries of the country.
At a latter period, Mr. Isaac Anderson became interested in this
branch of industry, and has given it, like Mr. Stock, his entire
attention for several years past, so that with their combined
experience, and the facilities which the firm in manufacturing
and producing have at their command, the consumers and
dealers of machinery oils have ample guarantees of the merits of
the goods turned out by this house. The offices and sample
room of the firm are situated at No. 11 Adelaide Street east,
near the Post Office.

Milburn, Bentley & Pearson's building, situate on the
corner of Church and Colborne streets, is a large square
brick building, with projecting columns, having nothing in its
style beyond its solidity to attract attention, yet it is one of the
most celebrated structures in the city, being intimately associ-
ated with the past of Toronto, in its days of infancy, when it
was known as " muddy York." This building was the old
Masonic Hall, and for many years was the principal iDublic hall
of the place. Here most of the public assemblies and large
social gatherings were held ; here, too, many of the Churches
of the city first formed themselves and organized. Here the
strolling players and the jpublic lecturers appeared before the
public of the capital of Ontario, in a room now devoted to
the storage of medicines, calculated to heal almost every ill or

,302

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

pain to which man is heir. This old and well known building
with its many associations, will be remembered by those frequent-
ing Beard's Hotel, or better known as the Kussell House, then the
only first-class hotel in muddy York, and although built up-
wards of fifty years ago, compares favourably with buildings of
recent structure. The |)resent occupants, Messrs. Milburn,
Bentley & Pearson, are making many changes in tlie interior of
the building, and beautifying it externally ; converting a large
portion of it into a wholesale patent medicine depot, and for the
manufacture of their proprietary medicines (which have a large
and increasing sale) consisting of the Victoria compound syrup
of hypophosphites which is highly recommended for general
debility, and all the derangements of the nervous system ; also,
Victoria Buchu and Uva Ursi, which is recommended by medical
men for all diseases of the kidneys. Hagyard's Yellow Oil
for sprains, bruises, burns, &c., is largely used. Hagyard's
Pectoral Balsam for coughs, colds and all lung diseases, has a
large sale. JDr. Fowler's Extract of Wild Strawberry, well known
for its curative properties in cholera, cholera morbus, and all
summer complaints. The quantity of these medicines disposed
of, together with many other preparations they manufacture, is
something wonderful. They commenced business in the Village
of Acton in the year 1837, but owing to the iiicrease in business,
removed in 1873 to this city, where the facilities for doing busi-
ness were equal to the energies displayed by them ; a large and
profitable business has been the result. The building they are
now occupying is situated on the north-east corner of Church
and Coiborne Street (the old Masonic Hall), a view of which will
be found on accompanying plate, is a four-storey brick building,
extending along Coiborne Street 100 feet, and having a frontage on
Church Street of 50 feet ; the firm have their olfice, sample-room
and shipping department on the first fioor. the second floor is
used for manufacturing purposes, the upper portion of the build-
ing being devoted to the storage of goods handled by them ; the
development of their business has been on a pace with the rapid
growth of the city of late years.

303

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Mirror and Picture Frame Manufacturing Establishment.

Messrs. Laird and Koberts carvers, gilders, and picture frame
manufacturers of King street west, have recently introduced a new
industry into Toronto, and appear bent upon developing it to
a very large extent. The firm, which is one of the oldest in
Toronto, was established by Mr. Pell, in 1840, and although it is
less than fifty'years since it was first established, it is one of the
oldest firms and establishments in the Province. Mr. Laird, the
present senior partner, succeeded to the business in the year
1859, and has attained a h^"gh reputation for great excellence in
workmanship, and for the cl-.'^jste and elegant character of his
designs. Unlike many importing houses, this firm manufacture
nearly the whole of the goods they sell, from the simplest frame
to the most elaborate and coQtlj mirror ; they have been cele-
brated for the care and judgment shewn in the collection of fine
arts, paintings, engravings, &c. At the beginning of the present
year, Mr. Koberts introduced the art of silvering mirror plate,
by a deposit of pure siver in lieu of the old mercurial process,
an art till then almost unknown in Canada, thus avoiding the
great risk consequent upon importing, and saving a large pro-
portion of cost, and giving a better article.

Wilson's Vinegar Manufactory on Bay Street, betwen King
and Adelaide Streets, is one of the largest manufacturing estab-
lishments in the Dominion This factory which is situated on the
east side of the street, is a large three storey brick building, with a
frontage of 70 feet, and a depth of 85 feet. The capacity for
manufacture is 700 to 800 gallons per day, and Mr. Wilson is now
making extensive alterations and additions to the premises,
which will enable him to double the capacity of product. The
vinegar manufacture at this establishment is all made from pure
spirit, and has a most favourable reputation throughout Canada.
It is by some supposed that the use of vinegar injures the
health, but medical men now pronounce that, if not used in
excess, it is a most useful and healthy condiment.

304

LoNCACRE Carriage Works William Dixon Prop.
5^ic5b ADELAIDE ST W-

TEADE AND COMMEECE.

William Dixon's Carriage Works, a view of which is shown
opposite page 304, situate on Adelaide street west, Nos. 53 and 55,
(adjoining Grand's well-known sale stables), between Bay and
York streets. This neat and attractive structure was erected
during the present summer, and is one of the most imposing and
best arranged carriage factories in the Province of Ontario. The
style of architecture is Venetian, and the materials are red
brick and cut stone with white brick dressings. The building
contains four storeys and a basement, having a frontage of 50
feet on Adelaide street, and extends back 90 feet. The basement
is used as the blacksmiths' shop and iron working department.
The ground and first floors are used as showrooms, and the
stock on hand embraces some fine specimens of the carriage
builder's art in buggies, phaetons, landaus, and family carriages,
some of them being marvels of beautiful finish and perfect
workmanship. The upper floors of the building are devoted to
the various departments of the trade, and the repairing
of all kinds of vehicles, sleighs, cutters, &c. Mr. Dixon first
began business in this city in 1857, at that time doing all the
work himself, and since then the business has gradually de-
veloped until now he is the head of the largest carriage building
establishment in the Dominion, and certainly the best known of
all Canada makers — the name of W. Dixon upon any vehicle
being considered a guarantee of good material and good work-
manship. A large number of carriages are built by Mr. Dixon,
his average build at present being from 300 to 400 per annum,
and these are shipped to all parts of the Dominion, occasionally
to the States and Europe. To the latter place a large business
appears to be opening up, for there can be no doubt but that
our Canadian carriage builders, can successfully compete with
the European builders, both as to the elegance and durability
of the workmanship produced. On the occasion of the writer
visiting these works, a beautiful carriage was being packed and
cased for shipment to England, from whence the order for its
manufacture had been sent, a proof of the first-class workman-
ship of Mr. Dixon.

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

E. B. Sanderson's Shoe Factory, on Victoria street, is a
large red brick structure, specially erected for the manufacture
of boots and shoes. The factory is situate on the east side of
Victoria street, near Adelaide street. Probably no department
of the trade of Toronto has had so rapid a growth as that of the
shoe trade. Only a few years ago one or two houses only were
to be found in the Queen City of the West, manufacturing for
the trade, but at the present time over a dozen firms are
kept busily engaged, some of them working almost night and
day to supply the Vt^ants of their customers. Some of the firms
now manufacture exclusive lines of goods ; some devote them-
selves exclusively to heavy goods, others to fine goods. The
firm of E, B. Sanderson is noted chiefly for its manufacture
of ladies' and misses' and children's wear — and in this branch
Mr. Sanderson employs a large number of hands : and goods
manufactured by him are found in almost every town and city
in the Province.

A. & W. Burns' Beaver Soda Water Works. — Whether it
be from the rapidly increasing number of the supporters of the
temperance movement, or from the improvement made in the
manufacture of soda water and lemonade and other temperance
beverages, it is manifest that the manufacture of these beverages
has rapidly increased in number and importance, and probably
none of them show so great a local development as the factory
of A. & W. Burns. This factory is the oldest of its
class in Toronto; was established by John Shannon in 1865,
and for upwards of ten years has been conducted by the
Messrs. Burns. The factory now is situated at Nos. 5 and 7
Buchanan street, corner of Yonge street, and w^as specially built
for a soda water factory twelve years ago. It was at that time
situated in the midst of a thick bush, which extended w^ithout a
single break along the front of Yonge street from College
Avenue to Hayter street, and ran back a long distance; and
now, in the short space of a dozen years, the whole of this land
has been covered with dwellings, stores, and manufactories, so
closely that not a vacant building lot can be found in the

306

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

vicinity. This establishment on an average produces upwards
of 2,000 dozen of lemonade, Belfast ginger ale, sarsaparilla,
and soda water, each day, the bottles being filled and corked by
machinery. Upwards of 7,000 dozen bottles are used by the
firm for their trade. Messrs. A. & W. Burns transact one of the
largest trades in the business, their waggons visiting all the
districts around Toronto.

Lugsdin & Barnett's, 115 Yonge Street. — This business
was established in 1867. The building consists of three storeys,
the whole of which are occupied in the manufacturing and sale
of saddles, harness, trunks, valises, whips, and general furnish-
ing of riding and hunting materials. The firm enaploy the
large number of twenty-five hands, for whom, so large is their
business, they find constant and steady employment all the year
round. This firm took the Dominion prize at the Centennial
for ladies' and gents' saddles, and they have also taken first
prizes at several of the Provincial Exhibitions held in Canada.
Their riding saddles and harness are equal to the best English
manufacture, and, in fact, on account of their lightness,
are better adapted for use in this country. They do a large
export business to British Columbia, Manitoba, California, and
have also sent goods to Europe. They have a large and varied
stock in the store of riding bits, race saddles, trotting and
interfering boots. They make a specialty of sample trunks for
commercial travellers, of which they have a large stock, as also
English and American goods, always on hand.

Charles Wilson, 481 Sherbourne street, established business
in Toronto in 1875, having removed from Montreal, in which
place he carried on a large business for many years. The
manufactory in Toronto is situate on Bleecker street above
Wellesley, and consists of a two story rough-cast building. On
the first floor is the latest improved English machinery for the
bottling, corking, &c., of ginger ale, soda water, and other
aerated beverages. Mr. Wilson has devoted a great deal of
time and expense to bring the beverages made by him to the
highest state of jDcrfection, and the large business that he is

307

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT,

doing bears testimony to the satisfaction his articles give. The
average number of bottles used per day is 400 dozen, or 9,600
dozen bottles per month. Taking into consideration the enor-
mous stride the temperance movement has made of late, not
only in Toronto, but throughout all Canada, the demand for
these drinks, that satisfy but at the same time do no injury to
the people, must of necessity increase to a very large extent, and
the jDroprietor of this establishment seems to the writer to be
looking at this fact with a keen eye to business, if one may
judge by the extent of his works. A visit to Mr. Wilson's
factory would both interest and astonish the visitor by the enor-
mous amount of bottles used in his establishment.

S. Trees & Co., 42 Wellington Street East.— This firm
j was established in 1865. The premises consists of a four storey
brick building, with a frontage of 25 feet and a depth of 100
feet, and is well adapted for the large wholesale and manufac-
turing business of saddlery hardware, collars, saddles, travelling
bags of all descriptions the firiii does. The ground and first
floors are occupied as offices, show, and ware rooms. The
two upper floors are used for manufacturing purposes, the base-
ment being used as a store room. This is the oldest house in the
trade in Toronto. Messrs. S. Trees & Co. having a manufac-
tory in England, and one of the partners residing there, are in a
position to supply customers with English goods better than
any other house in the trade. They make a specialty of Eng-
lish whips and horse clothing. Their stock being large and
varied, country harness makers are supplied with every require-
ment, the firm doing a large business in this line. They are
also importers of American saddlery hardware, &c.

Dixon, Smith & Co., 81 Colborne Street, Manufacturers
of Leather Belting and Fire Engine Hose, established
business in 1872. The premises consist of a three storey brick
building. On the ground floor are the offices, steam engine,
and hide room. On the upper floors the various processes
through which the leather passes, and the number of machines
that are used, in preparing the same before completion, are quite

308

TEADE AND COMMERCE.

interesting, such as trimming, gir.ssing, rolling, cutting machines
and stretching frames, &c. There are also large numbers of
hides in the various stages of drying. In the basement are
large vats for retanning and currying the leather. Messrs.
Dixon, Smith & Co. have all the hides from which they manu-
facture carefully selected and tanned expressly for their own use,
and the personal attention which they have devoted to their
business is shewn in the various first class prizes they have
taken at the different Exhibitions, viz.: 1st prize for oak tanned
belting at Ottawa, 1875; again at Hamilton in 1876, where
they obtained two 1st class prizes for their goods, and a bronze
medal awarded by the International Commission at Pliiladelphia,
1876.

Messrs. Rice Bros., lo Melinda Street, Manufacturers of
Cloth Faced Linen Collars, Cuffs, and Fronts, opened a
branch office in Toronto in January, 1876. The firm started
business in Montreal in 1863, their trade then being of a very
limited character making only the small number of about
500,000 collars a year. To show the extent the business has in-
creased it will only be necessary to say that the firm has manufac-
tured and sold the almost incredible amount of seventeen millions
of collars in one year. The success of the business is due to the
suj)erior quality of the paper that is manufactured, the firm
using only the very best description of American and English
goods. The stock consists of every style of collars, fronts, and
cuffs that are made.

George Constable, Bread, Cake, and Biscuit Manufac-
turer.— The building recently erected by Mr. Constable is one of
the best business structures on Queen street west. This house
occupies the site recently covered by a small insignificant frame
building, which was previously occupied bv Mr. Constable.
The building is of red brick with stone dressings, in the modern
French style of architecture; it is two storeys in height, sur-
mounted with a very light and ornamental looking mansard
roof. (See plate M.) The store and sale room is one of the
neatest and most conveniently arranged in the city, and con-

309

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

tains the finest soda fountains probably to be found throughout
the entire Province. It is constructed of variously coloured
marble, with beautiful silver gilt mountings, being ornamented
with Egyptian figures in bronze, such as the Sphinx and the
human-headed bull, &c., and is certainly a beautiful work of
art. It was exhibited at the Centennial Exhibition, and com-
manded much admiration, at which place Mr. Con table
purchased it. In wedding cakes Mr. Constable does a large
business, the ornamental part of which he imports direct from
England. ^ An ice cream parlour is attached to the shop, the
same being made by steam power, giving it a much smoother
taste than by the old way of making it by hand. The
bakery, is furnished with steam power upon the latest and
most improved pattern ; it is situate behind the store, and the
arrangements are such that a larger amount of work can be
accomplished in a given time than in any other establishment of
the kind in the city.

WHOLESALE HOUSES.

John Macdonald & Co. — The warehouse of John Mac-
donald and Co. (see plate 37) is situate in the very centre of the
business portion of the city.* It is built of cut stone, in the
Venetian Gothic style of architecture, is five storeys in height,
and neat and imposing in appearance. When first erected it far
surpassed in external appearance every other business establish-
ment in the city for size and ornate finish. Its principal en-
trance is on Wellington street, and the building extends through
to Front street, being Nos. 21 and 23 Wellington street, and 28
and 30 Front street. Mr. Macdonald, the founder of the house,
began his career as a merchant in the year 1849 on Yonge street
near the corner of Eichmond street. In 1852 he removed to
Wellington street, entering upon an exclusively wholesale busi-
ness, and nearly opposite the present premises of the firm. In
the year 1862 he erected the premises he now occupies, since
which time additions and improvements have been made,

310

GOSGRAVE&GO, MAIJST£RS,BRE:WERS BOTTLERS., COR OF PUECN 5* NIAGARA STS.

HEINL7MAM & C9S PIANO FACTORY. 0 NO. MCDONALD 8^ C" IMPORTERS: WGORDON CARPETWARE^^

(

i:
I

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

making the building one of the most commodious and conve-
nient business houses in the city. Toronto enjoys an enviable
reputation for the general stability and business integrity of its
principal trading houses, yet a reference to a city directory of
twenty or twenty-five years ago wdll disclose the fact that almost
the entire number of firms carrying on business at that date
have disappeared. The firm of John Macdonald & Co. has
gone on modestly yet steadily, always keeping abreast of the
times, year by year increasing its business, until to-day it ranks
among the oldest as well as the largest in the Dominion.
From the very outset of his business career Mr. Macdonald
struck out a bold and somewhat original course. He set his
face against the habit of selling goods at a fixed ad^?ance upon
the sterling cost, and although he stood almost, if not entirely,
alone for mttny years, there are few houses of any standing in
the country to-day which have not followed his example, and
are now, like him, selling their goods in the currency of the
country. The house is widely known for another peculiarity : it
employs no travellers; and although the wonder with many is
how the business of the house can be maintained by ignoring a
custom so generally adopted by the trade, the fact nevertheless
remains that not only is the trade of the house maintained, but
extended every season. The house was the first in the country
to adopt the system of distinct departments, each having its own
buyer and staff of salesmen, assistants, &c. The house has an
office in Manchester, England, and in addition to its imports
of British and Continental goods, deals very largely in Canadian
and American dry goods. We have no opportunity of knowing
the extent of the business carried on by the finii, but it is beyond
all doubt very large ; in fact the general impression is that the
amount of the annual sales of the house are exceeded by very
few firms in the Dominion. Mr. Macdonald is the author of a
very valuable little work on Business Saccass ; What it is,
and how to Secure it." It was delivered in the form of a lec-
ture before the Toronto Young Men's Christian Association, of
which Mr. Macdonald is president, and was so eminently prac-

311

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

tical, abounding with so many happy illustrations of how to
attain success, and clearly pointing out the chief causes of
failure, that it was felt by those who heard it to be too valuable
an effort to pass away with a mere newspaper report, so Mr.
Macdonald was requested to publish it, which he accordingly
did. The following brief extract from this work is quite charac-
teristic of its author, and those who are acquainted with his
mode of business will see that he himself fully follows the line
of action he lays down for others: — "Be the mainspring of
your own business, the controlling and directing power which
keeps the whole in constant and harmonious motion : impress
every one around you that you are master of your own busi-
ness, able to guide your vessel in the tem^Dest as in the calm ;
that difficulties but inspire you with greater earnestness to
achieve greater results. Take an interest in every one in your
employment ; an interest in their comfort, welfare, and happi-
ness. Give them your confidence; don't suffer faithful services
to go unrewarded. Advertise your business ; better, however, a
hundred times never do so, than do it untruthfully. * * *
Do not expect to escape without detractors. There never was a
successful man, and there never will be, who had not and who
will not have his enemies. * * * Keep wisely extend-
ing your business, making all you can ; and, as you do so,
giving all you can." Mr. Macdonald was unanimously elected
representative of the Central Division of the City of Toronto on
the resignation of Kobert Wilkes. He takes a prominent and
very active interest in the church with which he is connected,
and all philanthropic objects find in him a warm supporter. He
is intimately connected with many of the financial institutions
of the city, and of him it may truly be said that he is one of the
merchant princes of Toronto.

Messrs. Samson, Kennedy, & Gemmel's warehouse is
situate on the south-west corner of Scott and Colborne streets,
one of the most central situations in Toronto. It is in the very
heart of the business portion of the city, near to the principal

312

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

hotels, Custom House, and banks, and within a few minutes
walk of the railway and steamboat depots. Some of the finest
examples of street architecture to be found in the city are in the
immediate neighbourhood. Fronting on to Scott street are the
magnificent buildings of the British America Insurance Com-
pany, the Pacific Block, the Bank of Ontario, the Montreal
Telegraph Company, &c. Messrs. Samson, Kennedy, and Gem-
mel's warehouse is a plain white brick structure of four storeys,
(see plate 33) presenting no striking external features beyond its
solidity and size. Internally it is one of the most complete,
convenient, and commodious business houses in the city, afford-
ing four spacious and Avell lighted floors, each 50 by 123 feet,
giving every facility for an effective display of- goods. Passing
through the various rooms a stranger is amazed at the immense
piles and the variety of the goods here displayed. On the base-
ment floor are located unbleached cottons, flannels, blankets, un-
opened packages, &c. The ground floor contains an endless dis-
play of English and American bleached cottons, prints, and
heavy goods. The third floor we find filled with an immense
assortment of haberdashery, to enumerate which would require
a respectable sized catalogue. Kibbons of all shades, widths,
and qualities are here, as are also laces of all kinds, to suit the
taste of the millionaire or the humble cottager. The fourth
floor exhibited a very large stock of black .goods, fancy dress
goods, muslins, parasols, shawls, silks, &c. This house was esta-
blished in the fall of 1869, and by the enterprising management
of the firm, not only partook of the general prosperity of the
city, but attained a success that will compare favourably with
the greatest commercial leaps that the last ten years have
recorded. The system of management is that adopted by the
large English houses, of placing each department under the con-
trol of an experienced manager. Mr. Samson, the senior partner,
resides in Europe, and purchases all the heavy goods. Mr.
Macaw, the junior partner, visits twice a year the English,
French, and German markets to purchase haberdashery and
general fancy goods. A special buyer also visits periodical^ the

313

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Continental markets. The counting house is under the special
control of Mr. Gemmel. The general management of the ware-
house and the execution of all orders, are looked after by Mr.
Kennedy. (See plate 33.)

Messrs. Debbie & Carrie — The warehouse of this firm is
situate on Front street,, near its junction with Yonge street.
The situation is very central, being adjacent to the new Custom
House, the principal hotels, banks, and railway stations, and in
the very heart of the wholesale trading houses of the city. The
building is spacious, well lighted, four storeys in height, and
built of white brick, with highly ornamented iron front dress-
ings, and has a very neat external appearance. See plate 35.
The firm was established in the beginning of the year 1867.
Mr. Dobbie had previously carried on a retail dry goods busi-
ness in this city, Mr. Carrie having carried on a large retail dry
goods business in St. Thomas. Their first premises were No.
3 Wellington street east, and subsequently extended through to
45 Yonge street. Shortly afterwards, finding their business
called for increased accommodation, they removed ,to the Iron
Block in August, 1871, being burnt out in February, 1872, by
the destructive fire which originated in the centre of the block,
and necessitated their removal temporarily to No. 3 Wellington
street west. On the block being rebuilt they removed to their
present premises. ^ The firm do a large and increasing trade,
enjoy a high reputation, and command the confidence of the
mercantile communitv.

J. Gillespie & Co — The firm of J. Gillespie & Co. is the
pioneer of the wholesale hat and fur trade of Toronto, having
commenced business in the year 1865 at No. 39 Yonge street.
At this time the wholesale and general trade of the city was so
depressed that premises for any trade could then be obtained at
a rental barely sufficient to pay taxes. We believe that this
was the first house in Toronto to sell goods to the trade as far
east as Montreal, and in the very first year of its existence its
success was established, the sales made being larger than most
of the old and well known houses. With each succeeding" year

J Gl LLESPIE«<Co WHOLESALE HATS FURS STRAW GOODS BUFFALO ROBES &c .

64- 8c GS YO N G L ST R E ET .

TEADE AND COMMEECE.

the business of the house has steadih^ increased, until it is now
one of the largest in the Dominion, extending its operations
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The premises now occupied by
the firm are situate on the corner of Yonge and Melinda streets,
and were erected for them in 1869. The building at first formed
two warehouses, one being occupied by Messrs. Thomas May
& Co., who moved into their new building in 1874. The busi-
ness having very largely increased by this time, the partition
walls were taken down and a fourth storey added, with a hand-
some mansard roof, making it one of the most extensive ware-
houses in the Dominion, far exceeding in appearance, capacitj^,
and internal arrangements, any other establishment in the hat
and fur trade. Their stock consists chiefly of American and
English felt hats, straw goods, &c., furs and manufactured fur
goods, and buffalo and fancy robes of all kinds. They make a
large collection of buffalo robes in the North West Territories,
and are every year doing a larger proportion of this trade. In
consequence of the advantages offered by the geographical posi-
tion of Toronto, both as regards the fur-bearing regions, and the
section of country in which most of these' goods are used,
they are enabled to control this branch of the business. While
paying special attention to mink, beaver, otter, and all other
Canadian furs, they also deal largely in imported skins, such as
South Sea seal, ermine, Persian, and Astracan lamb, &c. The
great bulk of the manufactured fur goods are made for them in
Toronto, though they have some special lines made for them at
other points in Canada, and they also import from Europe and
the United States such as can be bought to advantage in those
countries. Ketail dealers throughout Ontario and the West
now fully realize the natural advantages of Toronto as a dis-
tributing point, consequently, since the establishment of large
houses here the wholesale trade of Toronto has steadily flourish-
ed, while that of some other places has either remainetl at a
standstill or retrograded. (See plate 25.)

Hughes Brothers — The house of Hughes Brothers, which
was established in 1853, is composed of two brothers, Patrick

315

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

and Bernard B. Hughes. They were born m Newry, County
Down, Ireland, and emigrated to this country when very young.
Patrick, the eldest, commenced the business with a very small
stock and poor premises. When his brother attained his majo-
rity he was admitted partner in the firm. Since first enter-
ing into commercial life they have been unremitting in their
attention to business. They have built up one of the
largest wholesale dry goods importing houses in the Do-
minion. Their warehouse (see plate 26 for view) is sit-
uate on the corner of Yonge and Melinda streets, and ex-
tends along Melinda street to Jordan street, The front
elevation on Yonge street is of finely cut stone ; the Melinda and
Jordan streets front is of white brick, relieved with stone dress-
ings. It comprises five large floors, each 208 feet long. The
entire building is heated by steam, and requires twenty-one
large marble-topped radiators to distribute it. The situation
and number of windows make it one of the best lighted ware-
houses in the Dominion. The business of the house is carried
on in the departmental system, by which the manager of
each department is a merchant in himself, having his own
staff of assistants, and devoting his whole energy and atten-
tion to the requirements of his department and customers. The
senior partner is a director of the Imperial Bank, the Toronto
Savings Bank, Merchants' Marine Insurance Company, and
other local institutions.

Messrs. Tackaberry, Joselin 8l Joselin's is situate on the
north side of Colborne street, near the corner of Y^onge street,
and is a commodious, neat brick building recently erected, con-
taining four light, cheerful floors. Its situation is in the very
centre of the wholesale trading houses of the city. The firm
devote considerable attention to the American markets, not only
to goods manufactured in this country, but to the purchasing of
foreign goods in bond in New Y^ork, Philadelphia, and Boston,
and in connection with the business a sample room is being
established, embracing every line connected with the dry goods
trade, so that here merchants will be enabled to select from as

316

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

great a variety of samples as if they personally visited the
United States. Their general stock will consist of such goods
onl}^ as are in active demand. The firm also represent some
of the best houses on the continent of Europe and Great Britain
and Ireland. The firm is composed of K. J. Tackaberry, E.J.
Joselin, and Charles Joselin, all of whom are well known as
young men of considerable business experience and enterprise.
(See plate I.)

Bryce, McMurrich & Co.— This firm, which occupies the
handsome building No. 34 Yonge street, began, business in
Toronto in the spring of 1833, the year preceding the incor-
poration of Toronto as a city, and since that time has kept
pace with the growing business developments of the city. At
this time the adjoining lots were covered with frame buildings
of the poorest description, the only respectable looking struc-
tures being the premises of the Bank of Montreal and ware-
house then occupied by Messrs. Moffatt, Murray & Co. Front
street did not contain a single warehouse, and where some of
our handsomest city structures now stand was then covered
with rank grass and pools of stagnant water. As an instance
of the rapid development of the locality it may be mentioned
that the lot now covered by the house of Bryce, McMurrich
& Co. was, a few years previous to its purchase by the present
occupants, sold for ^OllO sterling, or above $440, and lots in the
immediate locality of a similar size are now said to be worth
$16,000. (See plate F., opposite page 318.)

Robert McPhail's Wholesale Fancy Goods Warehouse
is situated on Front street west, immediately adjoining the
splendid warehouse of the Messrs. McMaster. The house is
devoted to the exclusive handling of the wide range of articles
coming under the trade term fancy goods, which really means l^'
any article of use or ornament. To attempt any enumeration
of such a stock would be utterly impossible, but we may mention
space is devoted to the display of jewellery, school books,
stationery, &c. The building is a plain, substantial three
story brick structure, a view of wdiich will be seen on plate 36.

317

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Galbraith Christie & Co., Hats, Furs, and Straw Goods.

— This is the oldest and best known bat and fur house in the
Province of Ontario, bavin^]j originated in Hamilton as far back
as 1852. Mr. Galbraith some years later meved to Toronto,
the firm's name then being D. Galbraith & Co., the Hamilton
firm being continued under the style of T. Christie & Co., the
two firms meanwhile continuing their partnership connection.
In the fall of 1876 the two firms were amalgamated in Toronto
under the firm name of Galbraith, Christie & Co. They manu-
facture largely all classes of furs (ladies' and gentlemen's wear).
They are also particularly interested in the Canada Felt
Works (at Hamilton), which factory is now producing beyond
all question the most desirable goods of the best value offered
to the trade in the Dominion. The trade fully recognizes this
fact, as the special daily enquiries for these wool hats amply
prove. They also manufacture largely, caps of all descriptions,
mitts, gloves, &c. They are also extensive importers of all
classes of goods in this particular line of business (manufac-
tured and in the raw), from England, the Continent, and the
United States. For a number of years they have been direct
importers from the North-West of the largest and most choice
assortment of buffalo robes ofi'ered to the trade. In the spring
season they show possibly the most extensive and varied stock
of men's, ladies' and children's straw goods in the Dominion.
Their new premises, situated on Front street, are the largest,
the most commodious, and the best adapted for their business
in the Province, having been specially fitted up for their con-
venience and use. (See plate 38.)

Messrs. Nelson & Sons. — The extensive warehouse of
Messrs. Nelson and Sons, a view of which is given on plate
40, is situate on Front street west, between York and Ba}^ streets.
It is a very substantial and somewhat imposing building of
white brick with stone dressings, five storeys high, including
basement, has a frontage of 33 feet, and a depth of 148 feet,
with a wing at the north end of 56 by 33 feet. The different
flats are well lighted, are fitted up in the best style with every

318

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

modern improvement calculated to meet the requirements of
purchasers. The age of the house, and its well known reliability,
have given it a reputation throughout the Dominion that
enables it to make sales to an amount far in advance of
similar houses ; in fact it is the leading house in the Dominion
in this special line, of trade. To attempt to enumerate the
stock kept on hand would be far beyond the space at our dis-
posal in this volume, but a fair idea may be gathered
of the extent and variety of articles here disjjlayed by
noticing the chief features of each fiat. The first floor, or base-
ment, is a well lighted apartment, devoted exclusively to the
show of wooden ware of all kinds for use or ornament.
The second floor is a fine room, containing a magnificent
and costly display of fancy goods, embracing jewellery, clocks,
vases, bronzes, and marble statuettes, dressing cases, travelling
bags, children's carriages, &c. The sides of the room are
covered with shelving, containing the general stock, ,samples of
which are displayed in cases arranged in the centre of the room.
The general offices and packing department are also on this flat
at the northern end. The third floor contains an endless variety
of toys, mats baskets, musical instruments, &c. The fourth
storey is dedicated to the storage of wicker-work baskets,
brooms, &c. The fifth floor is devoted to the manufacture of
corn brooms, &c. The firm was established in Montreal in
1840, when, finding their business rapidly extending in Upper
Canada, they decided upon opening a branch in Ontario in 1868,
and recognising the superior advantages of Toronto as a distri-
buting point, they selected it as the base of their operations.
The rapid growth of the city during the last few years, and tlie
large increase in the business of the firm have since proved the
wisdom of their choice. See plate 35.

Phillips, Thorne & Co., wholesale glass, china, and
earthenware merchants, do an extensive business in their line,
making a speciality of French china, in which they claim to be
the largest importers in the Dominion. Their premises are
situate at 23 Front street west, and are built of white brick, with

3^9

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

stone dressings (a sketch of which will be found on plate 26).
They occupy four fiats, each 28 by 160 feet. The first flat is
used for the storage of heavy goods in original packages. On
the next we find the offices, warerooms for open stock, and pack-
ing room. Going upstairs to the next, or third flat, we find the
sample room, and here is represented every line the firm deals
in, and specimens of artistic work from almost every civilized
nation may here be found. Fine decorated vases from Bohemia
are found beside fancy china cups and toys of German manu-
facture. Kich dinner sets, tea sets, vases, and lamps from Paris
and Limoges are in close juxtaposition with Staffordshire ware
of all kinds, English and Continental glassware in cut wines,
decanters, tumblers, and American glassware from the Western
and Eastern factories. Bronze chandeliers, lamps, electro-plated
ware. Britannia metal goods, &c., from celebrated American
manufacturers ; and cutlery from Sheflisld and Birmingham.
Leaving the sample room and ascending to the fourth
flat we find stowed here hundreds of boxes and barrels of glass-
ware, chimneys, tumblers, &c. Messrs. Phillips, Thorne and
Co., although only a young firm, have established a connection
far exceeding that of many of the old Montreal houses, and dis-
tribute their goods to the far western Province of Manitoba.
(See plate 26.)

Zimmerman. McNaught & Co. — This firm occupy the
premises first door west of Yonge street on Melinda street, the
structure being part of the warehouse of J. Gillespie & Co., a
view of which will be seen on plate 25. The firm is
exclusively wholesale, and deals extensively in all kinds of
English and American gold and plated jewellery, and American,
Swiss, and English watches. These goods they import at first
hand direct from the manufacturers. In addition the
jewellery stock, they keep on hand an immense assortment of
English and American table and pocket cutlery, and an almost
endless variety of fancy and useful articles, known to the
hardware and jewellery trade as electro-plated ware. The firm
are the exclusive agents for the manufactures of the " Meriden

320

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

Cutlery Company," the oldest and most reliable cutlery manu-
factory in America. This Company was deservedly awarded
a diploma and highest honours at the Centennial Exhibition for
the excellence of their exhibits. They also represent the
manufactures of the "Derby Silver Company," and " Meriden
Silver Plate Company," whose magnificent display of electro-
plated hollow ware, spoons and forks, at the Centennial Exhi-
bition attracted so much notice, and were awarded a medal for
beauty of design and excellence of finish.

Messrs. Thomas May & Co. — The warehouse of this firm
is one of the handsomest and most commodious in the city, and
is situate on Wellington street west, between Bay and York
streets. The building is in the Louis XIV. style of architecture,
designed by Langiey, Langley & Burke, 180 feet deep, by 40
feet frontage, and is five storeys high. The front is highly
ornamented, being of finely cut stone, the massive columns,
imposing doorway, and beautifully carved centrepiece giving it
an imposing beauty not equalled by any other importing house
in the city. The house is a branch of the Montreal firm of T.
May and Co., the largest importers of millinery, fancy dry
goods, niens' and boys' felt hats, &c. This house has been
established over twenty-five years. The firm consists of Messrs. .
J. Kichard Wolff, T. A. May, and James Paterson, Mr. Paters on
being the resident partner of the firm. See plate 35.

Cramp, Torrances & Co.— The warehouse of Cramp, Tor-
rances and Co. is situate on the corner of Front and Church
streets. The warehouse is a very large red brick structure,
with stone dressings, admirably located for business purposes.
It is a plain, neat, massive, and commodious structure,
abutting on to the south side of Front street, near its junc-
tion with Wellington street, and extending about 150 feet along
Church street.- This is a branch of the well known house of
Cramp, Torrances and Co., of Montreal, and confines its opera- i
tions almost exclusively to the importation of teas, sugars, X!
coffees, &c. The Toronto branch is under the management
of Mr. George Torrance. See plate 33.

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Brown's Carriage Furnishing Warehouse. — In this age of
commerce when the mechanical arts have been developed to a
degree of perfection undreamt of by our forefathers, the hum
of industry, the whirr and buzzing of the factory, and the busy
throng passing along our streets, and flocking into the grea^
business houses, form the truest picture of a city's pros|:erity
and best carries the idea of how a city which only 80 years ago
consisted of a few straggling log huts, (with a population less in
number than the hands now to be found employed in some of
the factories within its limits) has become one of the wealthiest
and most populous cities of the Dominion. Eapidly as the
various trades of the Queen City have developed themselves, the
carriage hardware trade has probably had the most rapid
xp ^i k'cu. "V^ iHj tl:e o]:£L£e cf tiade, means of carriage of all
kinds becomes an increased necessity, the old ox team gives way
to the light waggon, wealth induces luxury, and buggies and
other light running vehicles become in demand, and, to supply
the necessary furnishings, houses exclusively devoted to the
trade have sprung up. As an example of this class of trade we
select the house of W. Brown on King street east. This house
stands midway between the old Court House and Jail, shown on
theview opposite page 25, and was erected in 1842, and for
some years was devoted to the hardware business. In 1849 A.
Dixon & Sons began the saddlery and harness business here,
and in 1866 Mr. Brown having succeeded Dixon & Sons began
to keep a stock of carriage hardware and furnishings exclusively.
On entering this store a stranger would be first struck with its
great depth, and the immense variety of the goods meeting his
view. The sale and shipping room extends from King street
back to Court street. The front or King street end of the store
is occupied by the offices and sale room — the Court street end
being devoted to the receiving and storage of goods, &c. The
endless samples of carriage and waggon springs, axles, wheels,
hubs, spokes, felloes, &c., are an evidence that it is
one of the leading establishments of the Province. The
first floor is devoted to the trimming departments, and here will

322

TEADE AND COMMERCE.

be found plushes, velvets, cloths, moquettes, and the well-known
genuine English corduroy, which is now being extensively used
for trimming vehicles. In this room are also some fine samples
of leathers, enamelled oil cloths, and fancy lamps. In
the rear a large room is devoted to the storage of moss, curled
hair, &c. The two upper floors are packed with wooden ware of
all kinds, one room being devoted to sleigh and cutter stuff, &c.
The basement is stored with hubs of all kinds, sizes, and makes,
from the hub fit for the infant's carriage up to the massive hub
of a traction engine, almost large enough for a butcher's block.
It would be impossible to enumerate all the goods kept in stock
by Mr. Brown.

Messrs. Macnab & Marsh. — This firm was originally com-
posed of William Lyman, Alfred Savage, and John Macnab,
who commenced the hardware business in 1863. They then oc-
cupied premises on the north side of King street east. After a
few^ years Mr. Savage retired, and the firm continued business
under the style of Lyman and Macnab. The basiness of the
firm rapidly increased, so that in a few years their premises be-
came too small. The warehouse now occupied by Macnab and
Marsh was built by Lyman and Macnab in 1869. It is a spacious
and substantial four storey red brick building, situate on the
south side of Front street, three doors east of Yonge street, and
is in the main business part of the city. It has a frontage of
35 feet, and a depth of 180 feet. The ground and first floors
are occupied by heavy goods, such as nails, glass, spades,
shovels, metals, &c. The second and third floors are stored
with shelf goods, in wdiich the firm do a very large business.
The warehouse is complete with all modern improvements,
having tramways for moving heavy goods, is heated with steam,
and one of Killey's new w^ater engines has just been put in, by
means of which a ton weight can be raised the entire height of
the building in less than one minute. In 1870 Mr. Lyman died
and his interest was bought by Mr. Marsh. In 1873 the firm
built their large storehouse on the Esplanade for storing iron,
which will hold over 1,000 tons of bar iron. It is very conve-

323

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

niently situated, both for receiving and shipj)ing goods, being
alongside the wharves, and only a few feet from the tracks of the
Grand Trunk, Great Western, Northern, and Toronto, Grey and
Bruce Kailways. A large yard is also used on Church street for
storing pig iron, grindstones, and other heavy and bulky goods.
See plate 27.

Messrs. Pearcy & Stewart's Wholesale Paint and Colour
Warehouse. — Is situated on Bay street, between King and
Adelaide streets, and is one of the most extensive, if not the
most extensive establishment of its kind in the city. The
building is of red and white brick, three storeys in height, with
a frontage of 42 feet and a depth of 106 feet. The ground floor
is occupied with the sample room, offices, and shipping depart-
ment. The upper floors are a furnished store house. In a
stock so large and varied it would be impossible to attempt any
enumeration. The firm has a large and varied supply of colours,
dry and in oil, varnishes, brushes, artist's, grainer's, gilder's, and
painter's supplies of every description, and window glass both
plain and coloured. They are also general agents for Craig &Eose,
paint, oil, and colour manufacturers, Edinburgh » See plate 28.

John Hallam, 83 and 85 Front Street East, Dealer in Hides
Sheepskins, Wool, Leather, &c., was established in 1866. The
premises consists of two stores, h-aving a frontage respectively
of 28 and 30 feet, and a depth of 90 feet, and are built of red
brick, four storeys high. On the first floor are the offices, and
the rest of the building, together with the basement (in which is
done the curing of hides, and storing of casks of oil for tanner's
use) is used for the storing of large quantities of hides, wool,
leather, &c. To give some idea of the extent of the business
the following figures may be interesting : — Last year there was
purchased 50,000 sheepskins, 35,000 hides, 21,000 calfskins,
500,000 lbs. tallow ; and wool was shipped to teh United States
to the extent of half a million pounds ; sales at the store on
Front street amounted to $350,000. Mr. Hallam also runs a
tannery at the Don for wool pulling, and a manufactory for
patent and enamelled leather at Oakville, at which business to the

324

TEADE AND COMMERCE.

amount of $80,000 was done last year. There are about 45 men
employed at both places. See plate 41.
Thomson & Burns, Nos. i8 and 20 Front Street,

Wholesale Importers and Dealers in Shelf and Heavy Hard-
ware, China, Glassware, and Earthenware. Their busines's
was established in 1855, and carried on in premises of their
OAvn. The building is of red brick, three storeys in height,
having a frontage of 90 feet with a depth of 180 feet. The base-
ment is used exclusively for the storage of earthenware, and
where may be seen many hundreds of crates. On the ground
floor are the offices, in rear of which (in No. 18) is kept a large
stock of earthenware, out of which orders are executed. Their
package business is extensive. On the first floor of this build-
ing is a very large show room, where a buyer can see every
article in this branch of their business, from the commonest
description of earthenware to the celebrated productions in
China of Messrs. Havilland, of Limoges, France. On the
second floor there is kept an immense stock of glassware,
which for the most part is sold by package. This department
of their business is under the supervision of a manager, whose
duty it is to see that the stock is thoroughly maintained, and to
carefully watch all fluctuations in the various markets of pro-
duction. The hardware department is carried on in No. 20.
The ground floor, 35 x 180, is used exclusively for the storage
of all heavy goods, such as nails, axes, window glass, paint,
zinc, wire, spades and shovels, agricultural implements, cordage,
&c. A tram railway runs along its entire length, upon which
all goods for transport is passed to the rear. The first floor, of
same size as the ground floor, has the addition of a sky-light ;
the office of the hardware manager is located here. On this
flat may be seen a large and complete stock of shelf hardware,
comprehending the productions of Great Britain. United States,
Canada, and Germany, builder's and mechanic's, and household
hardware of every description, as also cutlery, electro-plate, c^c.
The firm also have a stationery department, which, with a host
of smallwares, brushes &c., forms a combination that is seldom

325

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

seen in any one establishment ; the general dealer is therefore
saved the trouble and annoyance of having a number of
accounts to look after. The two departments, i.e., the earthen-
ware and .hardware,, are kept separate and distinct. The
salesmen are those who thoroughly understand their business,
and who, although at all times desirous of furthering the
interests of the establishment, yet do not bore the intending
purchaser. The extensive character of their various purchases,
coupled with an abundance of capital necessary for its effective
working, warrant them in believing that their goods are at all
times purchased to the best advantage. See plate 8.

The Pacific Buildings.— The Pacific Buildings, situate on
the north-east corner of Front and Scott streets, is one of the
most handsome buildings in the city, and is devoted to mer-
cantile purposes. It was erected in 1874, and is a white brick
building with Ohio stone dressing, mansard roof, and is in the
modernized Corinthian style. It has a frontage of 72 feet on
Front street, 30 feet frontage on Wellington street, and a depth
of 162 feet on Scott street ; it is four storeys in height, with
basement. There is a large courtway from Scott street to the
rear of the building, giving access to the back part of the
premises. See plate 26.

Messrs. C. & J. Allen, who occupy a portion of the Pacific
Buildings, are doing a wholesale fin(3 gold, jewellery, and fancy
goods business, in English, French, and German goods. They
hold a fine assortment of samples, from which they take import-
ing orders, enabling the merchants to purchase with equal
facility as if personally visiting the European market. They are
also the sole agents in Canada for James Spicer & Sons,
London, England, wholesale export stationers ; Lightbourne,
Aspinwall & Co., paper hanging manufacturers, Manchester,
England ; and Hayram, Smith & Co., cutlery manufactm-ers,
Sheffield.

E. L. Slaughter, Erie Freight Agent, occupies offices in
the Pacific Building, on the corner of Scott and Wellington
streets.

326

i
5

I
i

TKADE AND COMMERCE.

Joseph & Davidson, Wholesale Dry Goods, have also
offices and warerooins in the Pacific Buildings, 30 Front street.
The firm consists of E. F. Joseph and Wm. M. Davidson.

Massey Geddes, Steamboat and General Shipping Agent,

also occupies offices in the Pacific Buildings, 33 Front street.
J. Segsworth & Co., Importers of Watches and Jewellery,

have offices and warerooms in the Pacific Buildings, 21, Scott
street. This firm have also a retail watchmaking and jewellery
establishment at 113 Yonge street.

The Firm of M. & L. Samuel may be taken as the repre-
sentative house of the city dealing in sheet and ingot metals
and tinsmith's supplies. The house commanced business in
Toronto in 1857, and for some few years afterwards their
business was confined to very small lihiits, owing to Montreal
being the recognized market for this class of goods, but as in
other trades established in Toronto, consu n?rs s3oa found that
their requirements could be as well and as cheaply supplied in
Toronto as in Montreal. By constantly keeping on hand a well
assorted stock of the best brands in all the staple lines, and by
an enterprising system of management, combined with a desire
to always supply the needs of the trade, Messrs. Samuel have
built up a very large trade, far exceeding many of their older
competitors of Montreal, and to-day they do the most extensive
metal and hardware business in the Province of Ontario. In
1871 the firm added shelf hardware to their business, and in
this branch they keep a large and wall assorted stock. They
carry a very large stock of galvanized iron, which has of late
years come so much into use for rojfing purposes. The chief
brands kept are the celebrated Marewood and Go3p3l O.ik
Canada Plate. For the last two years Messrs. Samuel have
imported the well-known M. L. 0. brand, which is acknowledged
by the trade to be superior to any other kind in the market.
In ingot iroh, sheathing copper, English and Kussian sheet
iron, lead and iron pipes, tinmen's and plumber's tools, they
appear to have immense stocks. The firm have a house in
Montreal, and in 1860 Mr. M. Samuel, the senior partner, went

327

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

to reside in England, where he has since remained and devoted
his whole time to purchasing supplies for the Canadian house.
Their house on Yonge street is a large three story brick
building, devoted mainly to the storage of metals and heavy
goods. Two years ago they also erected a large and attractive
three story brick building fronting on Jordan street, and im-
mediately in the rear of the Yonge street w^arehouse. This
building is devoted to the storage of lighter goods, and
glassware, &c.

The Hardware Store of Messrs Ross & Allen is one of the

oldest business houses on King street. The firm was originally
established by John Mead in 1839, and for a large number of
years was carried on by him, being the only store of much
importance in the then central part of the city. At the time of the
erection of this store it was in the very heart of the business
portion of the city, and in this locality the whole of the wiiole-
sale and retail trade of Toronto was carried on. Since that
time, however, the wholesale trade of Toronto has located itself
on Front and Wellington streets and the lower portion of Yonge
street, and King street east has become the centre of a general
trade, and the especial depot of the farming community. The
store of Messrs. Eoss & Allen is a commodious three story-
structure, and contains a very large stock of general hardware
goods, consisting of cutlery of every grade, tools of all descrip-
tions, builder's hardware, and a large assortment of farming
imi^lements.

Pepler & Sheppard. — Messrs. Pepler and Sheppard, a sketch
of whose building appears on plate 31, were the first to introduce
into this country the system of selling hides and skins by auction
on commission, thus affording to the butchers and farmers a
depot to which they might send their goods for sale, and by
these means enable them to realize the same price as the large
dealer who sells in bulk. This system has been introduced in
Toronto by Messrs. Pepler and Sheppard, after having seen its
success in England and Scotland, where it has all but super-
seded the old system of buying from the butcher and farmer

328

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

by the dealer who has a great advantage over the seller owing
to his having a quantity insufficient to command the attention of
the tanner. This system helps to give to the public articles
produced from hides and skins at the lowest prices, as it does
away with the dealers' heavy profits. Although this system has
been but recently introduced, it has met with great success,
having received the ardent support of the principal butchers of
the district,

John Rennie & Co.'s warehouse and manufactory is
situate at 25 Front street west. It is a white brick structure,
with stone dressings, having a somewhat neat external appear-
ance, and the internal arrangements are well adapted to the
business carried on therein. The building, which is located
nearly in the centre of the Iron Block, is four storeys high, each
flat being 165 by 30 feet. The firm devote their entire attention
to the manufacture and importation of the following departments
of the dry goods trade, namely : gentlemen's furnishings, corsets
and skirts, haberdashery and smallwares. They employ about
fifteen salesmen and travellers. (See plate 26.)

McGiverin, Kerrigan, & Co. — This establishment, a branch
of the well-known hardware house of W. McGiverin & Co., of
Hamilton, was established in Toronto in 1874. The house deals
in all kinds of hardware, making a specialty of the following
lines of articles : — Builders' hardware, mechanics' tools, table
cutlery, machinists' tools, also hoop iron, &c. The manage-
ment of the Toronto branch is under the management of Mr.
Kerrigan. The location of the house is very central, occupying a
portion of what is known as Smith's block on Front street west.
The warehouse comprises four large flats, all of which are
stored with every grade of goods coming within the range of
hardware goods. (See plate 38.)

Steele Bros. & Co., Importers and Dealers in Foreign and
Home Grown Field and Garden Seeds, first established
in 1873 with K. C. Steele as resident and managing partner,
this gentleman having had fifteen years' experience in the retail
business before starting in Toronto. S. E. Briggs was admitted

329

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

as a partner in the firm in 1876, having been in the retail
business for ten years, most of the time in connection with | the
house. The firm's business has increased to such an extent
that they are having erected for them a hirge warehouse,
situated on the corner of Front and Jarvis streets. It is a red
brick building with cut stone dressings, three storeys in height,
together with an extensive basement, having a frontage of 34
feet and a depth of 124 feet. The premises will have a powerful
hydraulic machine for hoisting the goods from the basement to
the upper storeys, together with every facility for carrying on
their business with the smallest outlay of time and labour.
When completed the building will be the largest seed warehouse
in the Dominion, The offices and retail store will be on the
first floor. The firm grow large quantities of choice garden
peas, which are sold to leading houses in the United States and
Great Britain. They also largely export Eed and Alsike clover
seeds, &c. As evidence of the growth of the foreign business
of the house it may be mentioned that in December, 1876, they
shipped goods direct to San Francisco, California, to Kichmond,
Virginia, and to London, England. Messrs. Steele Bros. & Co.
imported from Manitoba the first shipment of wheat ever
brought from that Province in the fall of 1876. This enterprise
must assuredly prove a great boon , to the farmers of Ontario
and Quebec in procuring for them a change of seed from the
virgin soil of the Eed Kiver Valley, and will assist materially in
drawing attention to the splendid farming lands of our great
North-West Territory, The members of the firm are J. S.
Steele, R. C. Steele, 4ind S. E. Briggs. See plate N.

Thomas Lailey & Co.'s Wholesale Clothing House,
14 Front Street West. This business was commenced by the
present senior partner in 1855, and is now carried on b}^ him
and his son, William H. Lailey, under the style named above.
The customers of the firm are chiefly in Ontario, but extending
to the Province of Quebec, Lower Provinces, and Manitoba.
Their warehouse is three storeys high, the two upper flats
having a depth of 180 feet. On the lowor floor are the offices,

330

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

and part of the stock of goods in the piece. The second floor is
entirely occupied with ready-made clothing. On the upper floor
is kept the heavier woollens and trimmings, used in making up,
the rear part being used for cutting rooms. The length of time
this business has been in operation, giving constant employ-
ment to a large number of hands, and now paying during the
year wages to the amount of $25,000, must give this firm some
claim to rank with those who have contributed to the growth of
Toronto.

J. L. Bronsdon & Co., occupy commodious premises on
the west side of Yonge street, near its junction with King'
street. The business was established in 1869 under the name
of Bronsdon & Paton, and is one of the oldest paint and colour
houses in Toronto. The building is four storeys high, having a
frontage of 25 feet and a depth of 75 feet. Immediately in the
rear is a brick warehouse three storeys high, 30 feet frontage
with a depth of 60 feet. The firm do a very extensive business
in all classes of goods pertaining to the oil and colour trade.
The goods sold by this firm are from celebrated English manu-
factlirers, among whom will be found the well-known firm of
Blundell,,Spence & Co., who are noted for their superior linseed
oils; Bramdram & Bros., whose white leads are so well-known :
Charles Turner & Sans, Noble & Hoare's, and Lane's celebrated
varnishes; Pouleur Freres, and Chaucis' window glass; Peri-
tainis' French brushes, and numerous other well known manu-
factures. They also have a large supply of coloars, dry and in
oil, varnishes, brushes, artists, grainers, gilders, and painter's
supplies of every description, window and sign glass is at all
times kept in stock. See plate 35.

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL STORES.

John Kay's Retail Dry Goods Establishment. — This
establishment, which situated on the corner of King and
Yonge streets, is amongst the oldest and largest in the city.
It was founded upwards of thirty years ago by Betley & Kay
(Mr. Betley having retired from business twelve years ago).

331

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

The first flat is filled with a large assortment of the l)est Dry
Goods which can be purchased in Foreign and English markets.
On the second flat, south, there is the largest and finest stock
of Carpets in the Province, obtained direct from the most cele-
brated English makers ; some of the designs are manufactured
for, and confined to Mr. Kay. There is also on the north end
of this flat a spacious show room, where the latest patterns of
French and English millinery and mantles are exhibited. The
third flat is used in making dresses, mantles, and millinery to
order, under the superintendence of experienced forewomen.
Mr. Kay has also a very extensive stock of the best Oil Cloths
which can be obtained in England. When it is mentioned that
this establishment can boast of a good many customers who
have dealt with it for upwards of a quarter of a century it is a
strong recommendation in itself. Besides having an extensive
city business a large country trade has always been done, and
is steadily increasing. For sketch of the building see plate 41.

Messrs. Ridout & Co.— The Birmingham, Sheffield, and
Wolverhampton warehouse was established by Messrs. George
Percival and Joseph David Kidout (brothers), in the year 1832,
in the premises familiar to the inhabitants of the city as the
Wakefield Auction Mart,, removing therefrom the following year
to their then new and, comparatively, with its surroundings,
large and handsome building, still in their occupation Eit the
corner of King and Yonge streets, which, since that time, has
been in honourable association with their name over the w4iole
area of Upper Canada, and alSo the best known feature or land-
mark in the city of Toronto. The building of the Brothers
Kidout, with the warehouse of Mr. Munro, at the corner of
King and George streets, was the example and incentive to that
substantial and elegant class of store buildings now ornamenting
the city in so many difterent parts, and which, during construc-
tion, in consequence of being considerably west of the under-
stood business limits, was watched " by the citizens (at that
time about 4,000) and country visitors as a wonderful and
hazardous enterprise on the part of the proprietors, both inex-

332

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

perienced young men, aged respectively twenty-three and
twenty-four years. Yet the Messrs. Kidout at the commence-
ment of their business career, felt every confidence in building
so far west of the then business limits of the place, and events
have since proved the soundness of their judgment in selecting
Toronto as a proper place from whence to furnish the dealers of
Upper Canada with supplies directly imported from British and
foreign manufacturers. The enterprise of a few pioneer firms
like Messrs. Ridout has done much towards hastening the esta-
blishment of Toronto as the commercial metropolis of Western
Canada. The Messrs. Ridout for nearly half a century have
been noted for a characteristic quietness in the management of
their business, and safely conducted it through the disturbed and
dangerous years immediately preceding and following the rebel-
lion of 1837, and through the various periods of financial de-
pression since then. The present jDartnership of Ridout, Aiken-
head, and Crombie was formed upon the retirement of Mr. Per-
cival Ridout in 1867. The senior partner, Mr. J. D. Ridout, is
we believe the oldest merchant of Toronto now actively engaged
in commercial pursuits. He is president of the Canada Perma-
nent Loan and Savings Society, the wealthiest and most success-
ful institution of its kind in the Dominion of Canada-, and to the
interests of which he devotes a considerable amount of at-
tention. See plate 30.

"The Golden Lion." — Messrs. Walker and Sons' dry goods
store, known to the residents of Toronto as the Golden
Lion," is one of the handsomest and largest retail Dry
Goods stores in the Dominion. Erected in 1867 at a cost of
over $40,000 it at once became a landmark in the most fashion-
able and busy street of the city, by its solid and imposing, yet
at the same time highly ornamental and airy appearance. The
premises have a frontage of 52 feet and a depth of 210 feet.
The front of the building is of cut stone, with a very beautifully
finished cornice, surmounted by a fine large figure of the noble
Lion, also cut in stone. For the first 30 feet the front of the
structure is composed, almost entirely of plate glass, and is

333

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

divided into four large panes, running from the sidewalk up to^a
massive ornamental iron girder, extending the entire width of
the building. The windows and doorway contains over 1,500
square feet of glass. The interior is beautifully finished and the
arrangements for the comfort of purchasers and the ready and
effective display of goods are very perfect and complete. The
first floor is divided by partitions, separating the dry goods
department from the clothing wareroom. In the centre of the
Dry goods, or east side, is the stairway leading up to the show
room, replete with a splendid assortment of millinery, shawls,
mantles, and ladies' underclothing. Here is also the fancy
department and house furnishing goods, and at the south end is
the carpet room. This room is the largest undivided show
room in the Dominion ; it is 51 by 130 feet, and furnished and
fitted up in the most complete manner. The third and fourth
floors are devoted to the wholesale department, work rooms,
&c. One of the chief features ot the store is the large dome,
over 40 feet in diameter, and rising 55 feet from the first floor, and
containing about 1,600 square feet of glass, giving a splendid light
to the first and second floors. " The Golden Lion " was esta-
blished in, 1836 by Mr. Eobert Walker, a few^ doors west of
the present site. In 1847 two stone-fronted buildings were
erected by P. Patterson, Esq., and Eobert Walker on the pre-
sent site at a cost of $30,000, and for twenty-one years were
occupied by Messrs. Walker and Sons, and the other by P. Pat-
terson and others. In 1867 Mr. E. Walker, having acquired the
whole of the site, pulled the two buildings down, and erected the
present store at a cost of over $40,000 ; and it is now the
largest retail store in the Province. The rapid growth of the
business of this firm has more than kept pace with the business
growth of the city. Beginning in 1836 in a small frame build-
ing, employing only two salesmen, it and one other are the only
surviving firms then in the dry goods trade. In 1856 growth of
business compelled the erection of new premises, and ten to
twelve salesmen were then found necessary to meet the demands
of its patrons, and this decade of twenty years finds the firm

334

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

located in the handsomest and largest retail establishment in
Ontario, with a staff of over forty salesmen, cashiers, and book-
keepers, with a stock of goods always on hand varying from
$150,000 to $250,000, and a large branch estabhshment in
London, Ontario. See plate 34.

Mason, Risch & Newcombe's Pianoforte and Organ
Warerooms. — Toronto is acknowledged to be the musical head-
quarters of the Dominion, as here more pianofortes, organs and
other musical instruments are sold than in any other city in
British America. Of several large firms trading exclusively in
musical instruments that of Messrs. Mason, Eisch and New-
combe may be taken as an example of the trade, having a large
and varied stock of pianofortes and cabinet organs, displayed in
a commodious building, with elegantly appointed show rooms.
The premises of the above firm, a sketch of wdiich will be found
on plate G, are situate at No. 32 King street w^est. The
building, which has been expressly fitted up to meet the require-
ments of their trade, is a fine brick structure, 100 feet deep by
26 feet wide, and consists of three floors and a basement. The
first floor is occupied as the principal show room. Here are to
be found pianos and organs from the most celebrated American
and European makers, suitable alike to the palatial drawing room
of the millionaire or the more humble cottage of the artizan.
The second floor is another very fine and beautiful show room,
70 by 26 feet, possessing admirable acoustical properties, and is
devoted to the display of pianos of the best makers, and the
better class of second-hand instruments. The third or upper
is occupied as a repairing shop, the firm doing a large business
in this department, being w^ell-known for the successful manner
in which instruments are treated by them. They employ only
s killed artizans, most of the men having been brought from
Germany specially for their business. The mechanical arrange-
m ents throughout the building for handling the various
i nstruments are very complete. In the basement a revolving
platform receives the cases containing the instruments into the
building, where they are unpacked and at once transferred to

335

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

a monster hoist, which conveys them with the greatest celerity
to any part of the building desired. Thus by a well organized
system and mechanical appointments, a considerable amount of
manual labour is saved, and all risk of damage to instruments
avoided. Each instrument on being unpacked is personally
inspected by one of the members of the firm, and is then trans-
ferred to the attention of the tuners and regulators, who
examine ever}^ detail in the mechanism, so that should the
slightest derangement have occurred to the action during the
process of transportation the remedy is at once applied. By
this means a purchaser in Canada receives his instrument in as
perfect condition as though received from the factory direct.
The importance of attention to this particular cannot be too
highly valued, and its adoption is doubtless one of the elements
of the success which has distinguished this house from its
commencement.

Page's Block. — This fine and substantial block of buildings
on Yonge street, just north of Queen street, which is the pro-
perty of Mr. C. Page, senior, was erected by the late Hon. J. H.
Cameron in 1856, Alderman Sheard being the architect. At
that time it was thought by nearly every business man to be too
far north from the centre of trade, and that to endeavour to
establish a business of any magnitude could only end in disaster
and ruin, but Mr. Page, who came from England with his
family to this city in 1857, and occupied the store now so well
known as the London House, thought he saw a great future for
Yonge street, being as it is an artery through the very centre
of the city, and he has not been disappointed, having by industry
and attention to the wants of his customers, built up one of
the largest and most successful retail dry goods businesses in
the city. Great improvements have been made from time to
time in this immediate locality to suit the times, and the re-
quirements of an ever-increasing volume of trade. The boot
and shoe store of Mr. Merryfield occupies the southern end of
the block, and is No. 190 Yonge street. Mr. Merryfield is one
of the oldest established boot and shoe dealers in the city, he

336

Mason Risgh k KIevvcombe PiANo-FoRT .Warerooms.

TRADE AND COMMECE.

liaviug first commenced business in 1853. At that time Yonge
street presented a widely different appearance than now. Then
green fields and vacant lots met the eye of the pedestrian —
where handsome stores and solid blocks of buildings now stand.
Then the shoe trade of the city did not number half as many
establishments as are to be found on Yonge street alone, and
what was still better for the consumer, home-made goods were
the staple commodity, and not cheap slop work. In this latter
respect Mr. Merryfield still maintains his well known reputation,
as in his establishment the very best class of goods that can be
bought for the money will be found. Poor slop work has no
place on his shelves. His trade is essentially a good family
trade and ordered work. Mr. Merryfield is one of the old school
of solid tradesmen, letting the value and durability of his goods
be his own bill poster. No. 192 is occupied by Mr. Frisby as a
tailoring and outfitting establishment, and is well known to
large numbers of the citizens as a store where good articles at a
moderate price can be procured. The stock consists of a well-
selected assortment of all kinds of cloths, tweeds and gentle-
men's outfittings of all kinds, Nos. 194 and 196 are in the oc-
cupation of Messrs. Page and Sons, the owners of the block,
as a dry goods store, and known as the London House. Pro-
bably no other store on Yonge street is batter known than the
London House. Since the business was first established by Mr.
Page, senior, the volume of trade transacted has steadily
increased, and department after department has been added
until now no better filled store or larger or more valuable stock
can be found within, the entire length traversed by Yonge street.
The salerooms rank among the finest in the city, a good light
being obtained throughout, and the firm is noted for its elegant
openings each season. During the past year Mr. Page, senior,
retired from active participation in the business, which is now
conducted by his sons, who appear determined to give the same
careful attendance and supervision, and carry out the same rule
of strict integrity in all transactions that has characterised
Mr. Page, senior. The next store is occupied by Mr. West as

w 337

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

a boot and shoe depot. Nos. 202 and 204 is occupied by the
extensive tailoring establishment of Mr. J. Brimer. This is
the largest and best fitted up exclusive tailoring store in the city.
The sale and show rooms are large, 28x75, light, and exceedingly
neat in appearance. The shelves and counters are filled with
the most select and choicest goods of the season. The goods of
the most celebrated woollen factories of Great Britain and the
American continent are constantly kept in stock, together with
the more fancy goods of French manufacturers. Mr. Brimer
has had a long practical experience in the trade, and as the
best cutters and workmen are kept, a satisfactory fit may always
be depended upon, as the writer can speak from his own per-
sonal experience. The workroom is immediately behind the
saleroom. William McMaster, junior, occupies the northern
end of the block, which is Nos. 206 and 208, as a dr}^ goods
store, and one of the best and most complete stocks of retail dry
goods in this street, and probably in the city, will be found
in this establishment. Mr. McMaster cultivates a family trade,
and trusts to the quality and value of his goods to obtain public
favour instead of puffing low and poor articles at low prices as
cheap bankrupt stocks, a practice which, during the late period
of depressed trade, has become a somewhat common proceeding
with many houses. In visiting this store we wel-e struck with
the large variety of the patterns and fabrics into which dress
goods are now manufactured, and the immense variety of
articles which a first class dry goods store handle. See plate 22.

Messrs. Wm. West & Co. also occupy a store in this
block, known as the Golden Boot," Nos. 198 and 200. This firm
was established in 1868 on a small scale, but finding their trade
increasing they were compelled to enlarge their premises to
their present commodious extent. The store has a frontage of
24 feet and a depth of 75 feet, and is neatly fitted up. The office and
manufactory is in the rear. Messrs. West & Co. have a very
large and select stock of boots and shoes, and as they confine
themselves to doing only a cash business they are enabled to
give their customers far better value for their money thun other

338

TRADE AND COMMEECE.

firms \Yhicli give long credit. They employ the best workman-
ship to be obtained, and a trial of their goods will be sure to
give perfect satisfaction.

J. Robinson & Co. — Few, if any, cities on the American
continent can surpass the stores of our principal dealers in gold
and silver wares for variety, value, and first class workmanship
of the goods therein displayed. As an example of one class
having numerous representatives in the City, let us examine the
store of Joseph Robinson and Co., known as the Sheffield House,
15 King street west, a few doors from Yonge street. Externally
we find a plain brick building of three storeys, and a shop win-
dow always remarkable for its neat and effective displays of sil-
verware and electro-plate goods. Stepping inside we find a
splendid saleroom 120 feet long, and 24 feet broad, beautifully
fitted up on both sides with cases in black and gold, containing
such a really magnificent slock of electro-plated ware as to
cause a feeling of surprise on seeing the numberless patterns,
styles, and varietj^ of articles, and the truly artistic workman-
ship manifested in the goods manufactured by this interesting-
and beautiful process. Here are large cases filled with tea and
coffee sets, kettles, urns, epergnes, vases, and centre pieces ; in
fact, every requisite for the use or ornamentation of the break-
fast, dinner or supper table, fit for the palace or cottage, and in
adjoining cases w^e notice Communion sets to suit the require-
ments of either high or low churches, christening basins of all
sizes and patterns, children's mugs in close proximity to claret
jugs, tea pitchers, cups and flagons for their seniors. In other
cases we find almost every conceivable ornamental or useful
article of domestic requirement produced in Britannia metal,
looking quite as bright and beautiful as in the more costly
metals. And here, too, will be found cutlery of all kinds,
from the costly and finely-finished goods that grace the table of
the palatial mansion, to the common horn-handled knives and
forks for the laborer's cottage. In fancy articles there appears
to be everything that can be desired from a match box to the
beautiful silver fitted dressing case or work box. In this de-

339

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

partment we find articles of vertu in Parian ware, Bohemian
glass, china, and the unrivalled productions of Wedgwood and
Minter. On the counters are cases filled with the most costly
watches, the most delicate and finely-finished lockets, brooches,
and rings, from the plain gold ring so much desired by all ladies
to the valuable and elaborately-finished gem, sparkling with
diamonds and pearls. It would be utterly impossible to
attempt to enumerate all the goods displayed on the various
floors of this house, but visitors can rest assured of being
amply repaid for any trouble in visiting this establishment by
the many and costly articles of artistic workmanship always to
be found here. This house was established upwards of twenty
years ago, and now do a very large wholesale trade, their tra-
vellers visiting all parts of the Dominion. Their retail busi-
ness is known to be one of the largest in the city, and certainly
the stock far surpasses that of any other house in extent.

James Stark's dry goods store is situate on the west side
of Yonge street, near Queen street. The external appearance
of the store is somewhat remarkable, as being the remains of
a style original in Toronto. This was one of the earliest brick
blocks erected on Yonge street, and at the time of its erection
was considered a remarkably handsome structure, and now ap-
pears neat and attractive. The store is well known to the citi-
zens through the pushing enterprise of Mr. Stark, who keeps
himself constantly before the public as selling cheap goods.
His stock is always large and well assorted, embracing a wide
range in all kinds of domestic cloths, dress goods, shawls,
mantles, hosiery, and fancy goods. See plate L.

Stanton & Vicars, Photographers, Nos. 47, 49, and 51
King street west, two doors east of Bay street, have opened one
of the finest and best lighted Photographic Studios in the
Dominion. It is a three storey building, having a frontage of
60 feet. On the first floor is a large and neatly fitted show
room and oftice. On the second floor is the operating room,
having a range of 62 feet, making it unequalled for taking
groups and full size portraits. The third floor is used ex-

340

TEADE AND COMMEECE.

cliisively for photographic pnnting. The basement is used for ;
fixing and washing. The gallery has been fitted up with the |
latest and the most improved apparatus and appliances. In the |
front is the reception and toilet rooms, furnished with every I
convenience. The staff of operators and artists are under the ,
able direction of Mr. Stanton (who managed the late photo- !
graphic house of Ewing & Co. for six years), who has had a i
large and varied experience in the art of photography for the * \

last twenty years, when photography was in its infancy in the j
daguerreotyping (or silver plate pictures), and has gone through • 1

all its changes .and improvements. Mr. Stanton for many years ■
has been engaged in the manufacture of some of the most ■ 1

important chemical preparations used by the trade, which gives '
him an advanta;ge over most houses. Though a Canadian he !
was the first artist who introduced photography in the State of |
West Virginia in 1857, and has had under his management some \
of the largest galleries in the States. Mr. Stanton has had a large ■]
experience in the production of life-size portraits in -oil and ;
pastel by the aid of photography, and having made photo-
graphy a close study as an art, his skill in posing and lighting j
is worthy of praise. His portraits of children, at all times a ]
difficult operation, are extremely good and always successful. j
The firm are engaged on a photographic combination group of '
the Toronto Hunt Club, giving a portrait on horseback of both
ladies and gentlemen, together with the pack. This is a piece i
of workmanship in the photographic art never before attempted j
in the Dominion, and when finished will be well worthy of a j
visit by the public of Toronto. Mr. Vicars is by profession a ■
manufacturing chemist, and is well known in Toronto, and we j
have no doubt the new firm will obtain a large share of public j
patronage. ]

James H. Rogers. — This house is one of the oldest business
houses in the city, being established by the father of the present
proprietor in the year 1815, when Toronto was better known as

Muddy York. The ancient sign of the establishment was at one
time the best known landmark in the city. Almost every

341

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

resident and every visiting farmer was acquainted with the
Indian Trapper that used to adorn the front of this store, and
convey to dealers the nature of the business conducted within.
The store has been altered to meet modern requirements, and
the saleroom is now one of the most attractive in the city. The
internal arrangements comprise all that modern art can do to
render a saleroom attractive, elegant, and convenient. Large
cases constructed of fine wood and plate glass with black and
gold panels reveal the finest furs in caps, cuffs, and ladies
apparel. Mr. Eogers transacts a large wholesale trade in furs,
and is a large exporter of raw furs to London and Leipzig markets.
A number of men and women are kept constantly employed
in the manufacturing department. During the summar months
one of the finest displays of hats, caps, &c., is always kept in
stock. A view of the store will be fo ind on plate 34.

McCormack Bros. — The grocery store of McCormack Bros.,
Nos. 431 and 433 Yonge street, and situate on the corner of
Yonge and Ann streets, is a commodious block of three storeys
in the plain but neat style of architecture so prevalent among
the business houses of Toronto. The premises have a frontage
of 66 feet on Yonge street, and extend 120 feet along Ann
street. The firm first began business on the corner of Elm and
Yonge streets in the year 1870, but the rapid development
of their trade rendered more commodious premises necessary,
and the present buildings were erected by them in 1870 for the
special purposes of their trade, and to which they are so
admirably adapted. Their business is divided into three
departments, viz., the general grocery, flour and feed, and ale
and porter bottlers. In the general grocery department the
house may fairly be taken as a representative first class estab-
lishment, everything required by families or kept by grocers or
liquor dealers, being found among the stock. As bottlers
of ales and porters Messrs. McCormack rank as the most ex-
tensive retailers in the city, being sole agents for Carling's well-
known ales. All the city trade is handled by them. Their
storage cellars are very extensive, well lighted, and kept at an

342

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

even temperature during summer and winter. The stranger
visiting their cellars would be greatly astonished to see the
stock of bottles here stored. We believe that upward of three
thousand dozen bottles are always kept on hand ready for
delivery, and that the daily number of bottles handled by the
firm in their vats now exceed 750 dozen bottles per day. The
flour and feed branch is carried on in No. 433, and so is kept
entirely distinct from the grocery department.

T. Webb's Confectionery Establishment. — The store of T.
Webb, corner of Agues and Yonge streets, is one of the best
known landmarks on Yonge street, for probably few, if any, of
the stores on this street have been so long devoted to the same
trade. The business was established by the father of the present
proprietor in 1842, when the store presented a much more primi-
tive appearance than now. The house soon became famous for
the quality of the bride cake here made, and to-day Mr. Webb in
this department stands beyond all rivals for the celebrity of
his cakes. The windows always contain very fine samples of
wedding cakes, ready for shipment. Mr. Webb ships these cakes
to all parts of the Dominion, and even to Europe so wide has
the fame of the Dominion wedding cake house extended. In
connection with the store are ice cream rooms, very comfortably
fitted out to meet the requirements of his patrons. (See plate J.)

Messrs. Kent Bros., sign of the Indian Clock, 166 Yonge
street. This business was established in 1867. The firm
erected the sign of the Indian Clock, which is quite a novelty
in the city ; it keeps perfect time, each quarter being struck by
an Indian squaw and the hour by an Indian chief. These
figures are of a large size and have a very natural appearance.
It is illuminated all night at considerable expense to the firm,
and is a great boon to the public of Toronto. Messrs. Kent
Bros, keep the most experienced workmen that can be obtained,
and iiaving direct communication with the observatory are
thereby enabled to give correct time to all time pieces en-
trusted to them for repairs. They have a large and varied
stock of clocks, watches, jewellery, spectacles, &c., continually

343

TOBONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

on hand. The Patent Spectacle Indicator of this firm's inven-
tion gives the strength of lens required for any sight
immediately, thereby dispensing with the unpleasantness of
trying on the dozens of glasses so often found necessary in
other instances before getting such as are suitable. A full
assortment of all qualities of spectacles always on hand. The
firm guarantee a perfect fit and satisfaction even to the most
fastidious.

Hart & Rawlinson.. — There are few cities that excel Toronto
in the richness of the book stores. Asa class the principal
stores of the city contain large numbers of standard and
valuable works. As an example of the best of the book and
stationery stores of the city that of Messrs. Hart & Eawlinson
of No. 7 King street west may be cited. It is certainly located
on the most fashionable street of the city, and its stock is
comprised of goods calculated to meet the requirements of
its patrons. The stock consists of general faacy stationery
goods, and a very large number of standard works of the most
popular British and American authors. The firm are also
Dominion agents for Zuccato's Papyrograph, for multiplying
fac-simile copies of writings, designs, &c., and are publishers
of the Canadian Montlily and National Revieiv. (See plate L.)

Wm. Brown, 478 Queen Street West, was established in
1867, and was the first dry goods store that was opened on Queen
street. The stand was at that time further west, the proprietor
removing to his present commodious premises in 1876. The
house is known as the ''Leading House," situate in the Franklin
Block, opposite Portland street, and is a three story red brick
building, with^ white brick columns and window arches. The
stock consists of a large assortment of dry goods, gents' fur-
nishings, mantles and millinery. In the back part of the store
is the mantle and millinery department. The store is well
lighted and fitted up in a neat and attractive manner.

John T. Wilson, 161 Queen Street West, first established
business in 1872 in a store east of his j)resent stand, but on
account of the same rapidly increasing removed to his present

344

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SCOTT ^WALMSIEY. GENERAL INSURANCE AGENTS. NATIONAL CLUB .

H.E,CLARKE^C°-WAREROO!Y15105 KING ST W.

TEADE AND COMMERCE.

address, which consists of a red brick building, three storeys
high, mansard roof. It is siuiiate between College Avenue ^nd
Simcoe street, with a frontage of 20 feet and is 100 feet deep. In
the rear of the store is the workshop for the manufacturing of
tin, copper, and sheet iron. Mr. Wilson has a large, light, and
heavy hardware and house furnishing trade, and a varied stock
of lamps of all descriptions, chandeliers, stoves, ranges, &c.

George Coleman. — The confectionery establishment and
luncheon room of George Coleman is one of the best known
buildings in the city. The building is a very neat three story
red brick structure, with iron dressings. (See plate 41.) Mr.
Coleman commenced business in a small frame building on
King street a short distance east of his present premises in 1852,
and in 1874 he erected the store and dwelling he now occupies.
Mr- Coleman does one of the largest, if not the largest, fancy
confectionery and bakery trade in the city, and his rooms are
the favourite resort of the ladies of Toronto for lunch and light
refreshments, and many of our leading business men here daily
take a light lunch.

Peter McCulloch, Wholesale, Retail, and Qeneral Grocer,

220 Yonge street. This store was started in 1872 under the style
of McCulloch & Morton, and is now conducted solely by Mr. P.
McCulloch. The store is situate on the corner of Albert and
Yonge streets, having a depth on Albert street of about 130 feet
and a frontage of 25 feet on Yonge street. The store has every
convenience for the large and increasing business the house is
doing, for family groceries, wines, liquors, teas, &c. The store
is replete with a large stock. The teas of which the house make
a speciality have been selected wdth the greatest care and in the
best of markets, and are offered at a price that will bear com-
parison with any house in the trade. The proprietor is a
courteous and agreeable gentleman, and will give, the writer is
sure, entire satisfaction to any customers that will favour him
with a call. The grocery business has been established for the
last 30 to 40 years.

345

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Alexander Hamilton's Painting, Glazing, and Paper-
Hanging Warehouse, situate at 183 King street east, is one
of tlie oldest business establishments of the city. Mr. Hamilton
came to York in 1820, and after spending several years with
his father, who was one of the first settlei.'s in Tjronfco Tjwn-
ship, on coming of age he went to New York and acquired a
trade as a carver and gilder, and was the first person to carry
on the business in Western Canada. The country being too
new and too poor to support such a business, he combined the
painting, glazing and kindred branches. Eeturning to Toronto
(then Little York) in 1829, he has since that date carried on
business in Toronto, witnessing and actively assisting in the
development of one of the finest and most properous cities in
Her Majesty's Dominion. Mr. Hamilton has embellished most
of the public buildings in the city, chief among which is the
interior of Osgoode Hall, the beauty of design and artistic work
of which will long stand as an enduring monument of the
painter's art and Mr. Hamilton's skill. Mr. Hamilton is one of
the most active members of the York Pioneers Society, and has
been intimately connected with the organization of many of the
local public institutions.

Morrison's Dry Goods, Millinery, and Mantle Establish-
ment, 368 and 370 Yonge street, corner of Walton street, is
the principal dry goods house in the northern part of the city.
The remarkable growth of this house will in some measure
indicate the rapid development of business in this section of the
city. Mr. Morrison first began business a few doors south of
his now prosperous establishment in 1873, at a time when the
most sanguine citizen would have deemed it folly to hope for so
large a trade as is now done by him. In 1875, the business
having increased so rapidly, he found it necessary to secure a
larger store. He then removed to his present premises, and
here a more rapid development was made now manifest, for in
1876 it was found necessary to double the space to accom-
modate the increasing trade ; and again during the present
year still further enlargements were made, making it no.w the

346

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

most commodious store on the entire length of Yonge street.
The shop has a frontage on Yonge street of 35 feet, and a depth
of 75 feet ; in the centre is a commodious counter exclusively
devoted to gloves ; to the right, as you enter, will be seen large
piles of staple goods ; to the left, hosiery and fancy goods, in
great variety ; in the rear, as you ascend about two feet, are
the dress, mantle, and costume department : to the left you
enter the large and commodious millinery show room, while up
stairs are the various workrooms in connection with the
establishment. The store is well lighted throughout, and
furnishes every convenience for the rapid transaction of a large
business. The stock embraces all staple lines in domestic and
fancy goods, dress goods, millinery, mantles, hosiery, gloves,
&c. In gloves and hosiery one of the largest stocks in the city
are kept on hand.

John Riddell, 31 and 33 King Street West. — This is one of
the oldest and most fashionable tailoring establishments in
Toronto. Mr. Eiddell is one of the pioneers of the West,
having been in business ever since the year 1840. The store
is an iron fronted building, Kenaissance style of architecture,
four storeys high, with mansard roof, having a frontage of 36
feet and a depth of 80 feet. The show room on the ground
floor Ib 70 feet long, and is a large and elegant place of business.
The back part of the store is used as offices and cutting room.
The entire building is heated by steam. See plate 39.

W. H. Lake, 562 Queen Street West, first started business
in 1872 on a small scale, his store being only 20 feet by 30 feet,
but in 1875, on account of increased business, it was found
necessary to extend the premises to 136 feet deep. This is the
first hardware store that was establ'shed west of Brock street.
The stock consists of light and heavy hardware, general house
furnishing goods, china, glass, crockery, and earthenware, as
also stoves and ranges. A large assortment is also kept of oils,
colours, varnishes, painters' materials, window glass. The
stand is large and well lighted, and well adapted for the purpose
of showing off the large stock on hand.

347

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

Walker 6c Larmour's Tailoring Establishment, 2 Rossin
House House Block, King street west, is a fine, commodious,
and well fitted store, having a frontage of 20 feet and a depth
of 70 feet. The firm started business in 1873, and import their
stock from the best firms in England and Scotland. The store
is specially fitted up for a gentlemen's tailoring establishment,
and employing, as they do, none but the most experienced
cutters and workmen, they guarantee to gentlemen a perfect fit
and entire satisfaction of their goods.

J. M. Coombe, St. Lawrence Buildings. — This Drug Store,
one of the oldest medical establishments in the Province, was
conducted by Messrs. Lyman Bros. & Co. for many years, a
name that is known throughout all Canada, and recently sold
to Mr. Coombe, formerly of Richmond and Yonge streets, who
started business in 1853, and has consequently during his long
business career obtained a knowledge and experience in his
profession which will command the confidence of the public.
The store is so well known that it needs no comment, and the
present proprietor has a large and varied stock of all sorts of
perfumes, fancy articles, chemicals, &c. He also deals in oils,
paints, brushes, varnishes, dye stuffs, patent and proprietary
medicines, &c. A view of the store will be seen on plate 31.

R. Moir, Staffordshire House, 299 Yonge Street, was
established in 1860, and is one of the oldest of the retail china,
glass, and earthenware stands in the city. The store is 60 feet
long, and he has two large storerooms above. In the rear of
the premises there is every convenience for the packing of
crates, &c. Pic-nic parties will find everything they may
require in crockery and glassware at a reasonable percentage.
The store is full of elegant English and Erench china, breakfast,
dinner, tea, and dessert sets, vases, terra cotta goods, &c., in
endless variety ; also a large assortment of bronze lamps, table,
glassware, and fancy articles. The proprietor has just returned
from Europe, where he has made large purchases, selected with
the greatest of care, and which he trusts will please the most
fastidious taste.

348

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

B. Chapman, 261 Yonge Street, is an old and practical
AYatchmaker and jeweller. He first started business in Belfast,
Ireland, where he continued for sixteen years, after which he
came to Toronto. He is one of an old family of watchmakers,
his father having been in business in Dublin, Ireland, as far
back as 1814. Mr. Chapman has been established in business
for the last fourteen years in Toronto, and has consequently
acquired a thorough practical knowledge of his business in all
its brancheb. He imports both from England and Germany,
and his store is replete with a large assortment of clocks,
ranging from one dollar and upwards. There is also an endless
variety of watches, rings, and jewellery of every description ;
also a large assortment of choice fancy articles.

Hugh Miller & Co.'s Drug Store, King Street EaSt, is one
of the oldest buildings in the city devoted to >the retail trade.
Its external appearance at once reminds one of the past of Toronto,
quaint attempts made at ornatenessof style being of a character
long since abandoned. The internal, however, is in the most
modern style of equipment, and fitted up with the attractive and
costly show cases so popular among all modern chemists and
druggists. In the rear of the store is a laboratory, where the
different preparations are prepared. Messrs. Miller & Co.
make a specialty of several articles ; we may mention that of
Prepared Glycerine for the hands and face, 1,200 gross being
made in one year ; also. Chinese Garden Powder ; Yorkshire
Cattle Feeder, used throughout Europe and Canada; and
Miller's Tick Destroyer, a prompt remedy for all affections of
the skin to which sheep are subject. Messrs. Miller have
testimonials from all parts of the world, speaking in the highest
terms of their various preparations, Mr. Miller is one of the
oldest merchants in town, having commenced business in 1842.

James Foster & Sons.— This house, which is situate on the
south side of King street east, was originally occupied by a man
named Champion, one of the pioneers of the hardware business
in Toronto some thirty years ago, but he not making a success
of it Mr. James Foster, seeing that a good business might, under

349

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

judicious management, be established, bought the stock in trade
and started the concern with a determination to make it a
success. His untiring efforts have not been thrown away, for
now it is one of the most extensive establishments in the
Dominion. The present stand originally consisted of two stores,
which, as the business increased, were thrown into one, making
one of the finest in the city, the dimensions being a frontage of
26 feet and 90 feet depth. In 1873 the sons of Mr. James
Foster succeeded to the business, which their father by untiring
energy had brought to such a firm standing. The last men-
tioned members of the firm have now added a wholesale and
jobbing department to the business. They have a large and
varied stock always on hand, which to enumerate here would
occupy too large a space, but it will suffice to say that in general
hardware, house furnishing goods, agricultural implements,
&c., the store will be found to contain one of the largest and
best assorted stocks in the city. During the last five years the
business has largely increased, and the firm now enjoy a large
share of the patronage extending over the entire Province.

Chas. A. Mitchell's Drug Store, corner of Church and Queen
streets, is in one of the finest brick blocks in the locality. The
block, which is three storeys high and built of red brick, was
erected some two years ago on the site occupied by a number of
dilapidated dwellings, and now the locality is fast becoming the
centre of a large area of business of all kinds. This store is
situated opposite the beautiful grounds known as McGill Square
(and on which now stands the Metropolitan Church), is admir-
ably located, and contains a large and complete stock of drugs
and druggist's sundries, the latter consisting of the finest
imported perfumery, a full assortment of toilet goods, and all
the best proprietary medicines. Mr. Mitchell has also estab-
tablished in connection with his business a large dispensing
trade, and as this branch is one that requires special quahfica-
tion Mr. Mitchell's extended experience in the best American
and Canadian houses pecuharly fits him for its management, to
which he gives his personal supervision.

350

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

Messrs. Crawford & Smith's Dry Goods Store, 49 King
street east, is a substantial stone structure, very neat and attractive
in appearance. This firm began business a little east of the
present store in 1857, and in 1875 removed to their present
premises, which are considerably larger than the building they
formerly occupied. This house has an advantage over many
establishments in the city in the fact of all the depart-
ments being on the same floor. The house makes a
specialty of the hosiery department, having in this department
probably the largest stock of any house in the city. The
domestic department is large, and contains a well-assorted
stock. The store is admirably adapted for the purpose to which
it is devoted, being well lighted and fitted up in a neat and
attractive style. The upper rooms contain the workrooms of the
mantle, millinery, and dressmaking departments, in which the
firm do a large trade. See plate M.

Thomas Crean's Merchant and Military Tailoring Estab-
lishment, No. 435 Yonge street, is a neat four story brick
building in the modern style, with a frontage of 25 feet and a
depth of 50 feet. This establishment is noted as being one of
the principal military tailoring houses of the city in this
department, Mr. Crean having had upwards of 20 years prac-
tical experience as Master Tailor in Her Majesty's Service.
During the last 10 years he has resided in Toronto, and is now
Master Tailor to the Queen's Own Eifles and other volunteer
regiments in the city and neighbourhood, and with whom he
carries on a large business, supplying all the needs of the
ofticers and men in the way of clothing and accoutrements,
supplying all uniforms in accordance with the regulations
i ssued from the officers of the Horse Guards. During the last
three years Mr. Crean has, in addition to his military business.
G arried on a merchant tailoring and fashionable outfitting
establishment, keeping on hand a choice selection of goods
adapted to meet the wants of the general public.

Graham's Carpet and House Furnishing Warehouse
is one of the best known establishments on King street, two

351

TOBONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

doors east of Yonge street. The store — a view of which will be
found on plate 17 — is a four storey brick building, is severely
plain in style, but, at the time of its erection, was thought to
be something really splendid for Toronto. The interior of the
store is most admirably adapted for the display of carpets,
curtains, mats, and oilcloths, being very large and commodious.
The front show room on the ground floor devoted to Kidder-
minster carpets is a room 54 by 28 feet, the sides of the room
being stocked with J^idderminster carpets of all qualities and
designs. The Oillets room, 50 by 20 feet, is behind the
Kidderminster room, and is fitted up with every modern ap-
pliance for the display of these heavy goods. The Brussels
carpet room is a very fine room upon the first floor, and is
replete with a very large selection of the finest and most costly
Brussels manufacture. In carpets and general stock of mats,
rugs, cornices, and stair rings, the house probably stands first
in the Province.

Photography in Toronto — No city in the Dominion excels
Toronto in the reputation achieved by its photographic artists.
Here are found some' of the largest, the most complete, and best
fitted establishments in the Dominion, and for artistic excellence
of the work therein shown, the variety of subjects treated, and
general reputation cannot be surpassed on the American continent.
As a fair specimen of the photographic galleries of the city, that of
Messrs. Hunter and Co. may be cited. (See plate 39.) Its
situation. King street west, is central for citizens generally, and
for strangers on a temporary visit to the city, being in close
proximity to all the principal hotels, warehouses, banks, and
fashionable stores. The show room is a fine, well lighted apart-
ment, 25 by 75 feet, beautifully furnished, and where is always
to be found a large collection of portraits executed in oil, crayon,
and photographs of the leading men of the Dominion and the
United States, photographs of Canadian scenery, the chief
public buildings of Toronto and other cities. Some choice land-
scapes- by eminent artists are nearly always found on the walls,
together with specimens of water colour drawing, a considerable

352

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

number of fine engravings, lithographs, &c., with innumerable
articles of reri5?t, in mottoes, frames, screens, mirrors, albums, &c.

R. Carswell, Law Bookseller and Stationer. — Toronto is
recognized as the seat of law and learning for the Province of
Ontario, — in fact, it may be said, for the entire Dominion, — so it
has of late years become the emporium for the Dominion for the
supply of all works required by the profession. Probably in no
trade now conducted in the city, has the tendency to centraliza-
tion been so manifest. Business men of all branches of com-
merce feel compelled to acknowledge the importance of Toronto as
a distributing point. Its geographical position is drawing within
its limits representatives of all business houses wherever located
in Canada, and in some instances it is absorbing the entire
business in special lines, entirely within its own limits. This
tendency is most clearly manifested in that branch of business
named in this article. A few years ago Montreal was the main
source from which nearly all the legal supplies of the Dominion
were drawn; only one or two houses in Toronto divided the trade
with Montreal; but now the transactions of the house of E.
Carswell alone exceeds those of the entire Dominion. The house
is situated at 28 Adelaide Street East, near the Post OfBce, and
had its beginning in 1883, at which time a large discount on
United States publications was allowed, and large numbers of
valuable reprints of English law reports were sold at very low
prices. * * * Six years ago the house sent out travellers,
and its business rapidly expanded, and now travellers of the house
make regular visits to all the chief towns and cities in the
Dominion. The firm supplies many of the large public libraries
in the United States with Canadian law publications. The
house has published a large number of valuable law books of
well known writers of the bar. Its business is rapidly increasing,
in volume every year, and it has now more law books for sale
than all the other establishments in the Dominion.

McLean Howard's Block is situated on the corner of Yonge
and Alice streets, and is one of the neatest blocks of stores on
Yonge street. The structure is built of red brick with stone

X 353

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

dressings, it is three storeys in height, surmounted with a hand-
some mansard roof, and presents a very ornamental and
attractive appearance. (See plate '27.) The eastern end of the
block is occupied by the store of J. P. Hammerton as a glass
and china store, and Mr. Hammerton's display is every way
worth}^ of the building, for here will be found one of the finest
and most extensive displays of glass and china ware to be se^n
in the entire length of this celebrated street. Some clioice
specimens of china, cut, engraved and coloured glassware,
together with a large quantity of ordinary staple goods, is
always to be found in stock. Messrs. Cameron & Kippax
occupy the centre store as a dry goods house, their specialty
being dress goods, mantles, shawls, &c. The house is admir-
ably adapted for tlie business, being well lighted and com-
modious, enabling visitors to make an accurate inspection of
colours and stock. The corner store is occupied by Mr. Merrick
as a millinery and dry goods house.

Tea. — Great as the consumption of tea is throughout this
continent it is surprising how little the majority of the folks
know of the proper method of infusing the fragrant teas. A
common mistake with a great many people is the idea that to
get strong tea it is necessary either to boil it or at any rate to
let it stand a long time on the hot stove very nearly on the
point of stewing. They are not aw^re that even to let it stand
too long extracts from the herb all bitter qualities, which have
been pronounced by the medical profession to be eminently
poisonous. Our advice is to purchase from a tea dealer who
understands his trade, and can supply a genuine article in which
strength is a natural quality. Tea that requires to be boiled or
stewed in order to draw out its strength, it is worse than folly to
buy ; so sure as you do so, will there be poison in the cup.
Quantities of worthless stuff are continually being palmed on
the public as tea, which is not fit to use, and the cause of it is
lack of judgment among grocers in the selection of their stock.
A word of caution here concerning adulteration would also not
be out of place. In these times of trade pushing adulteration

354

1
i

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

is carried on to such a pitch, and disguised in such .a cunning
manner that none but experts can detect it ; hence a double
reason for dealing at a reliable house. Let us recommend the
Montreal Tea Company at 317 Yonge street (late 115 and 117
King street), who deal exclusively in teas and coffees and make
a specialty of tea, having an advantage over most of the trade
in the selection of their stock. Their premises are well and
neatly fitted for the purpose, and one can soon satisfy them-
selves by paying a visit to such a place. The proper way to
make tea is to scald your tea-pot, and having put in the tea
pour on boiling water and let it stand ten minutes with a thick
woollen cover, away from the fire. If the water is hard add a
pinch of carbonate of soda, and then you will have a cup that
cheers and does not undermine the health.

McGee's Block, on the east side of Yonge street, between
King and Adelaide streets, is a solid and neat structure built in
brick, four storeys in height, with stone and iron dressings, in
one of the best business parts of the city.. J. H. Matthews
and Brother's fine arts gallery is in the southern portion of
this block. Messrs. Matthews deal largely in picture frames,
mirrors, fancy stands, &c., and here are always to be found
some > choice sketches in oil or water colours, and a large num-
ber of English, American and Continental chromo-lithographs,
photographs of celebrities, photographic stands, &c. Messrs.
Bawdon and Co., merchant tailors, occupy the middle store
of the block. Their sale room extends the entire depth of the
building, and contains a large assortment of ready-made cloth-
ing. Cloths of all makers from the finest West of England doe-
skins to the coarsest of Canadian tweeds will be found on the
shelves. Gentlemen's furnishings of all kinds, suitable for all
pockets, are to be found here. The Oshawa Furniture Com-
pany occupy the northern and most extensive portion of the
block. The Oshawa Furniture Company have a large manufac-
tory in the town of Oshawa, and these rooms have recently been
opened for the sale of articles of furniture manufactured by the
Company, and every description of house, office, and hotel fur-

355

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

niture. The stock embraces a wide range of beds, bedding, and
bedroom furniture of all grades from the commonest plain
wood to the most elaborately finished inlaid suites. The upper
rooms contain some splendid drawing room sets, library tables,
desks, &c.; in fact these rooms contain some of the finest goods /
in the city as regards design, solidity, and finish.

I. & H. Cooper's gentlemen's furnishing establishment is
situate on the south-east corner of Yonge and Adelaide streets.
The store is a plain red brick building, with no attempt whatever
at external adornment. The interior of the store, however, pre-
sents a very handsome and attractive appearance, the articles of
underclothing, hosiery, gloves, &c., being well and tastefully dis-
played. This is beyond doubt the most complete and extensive
gentlemen's furnishing establishment in the city. Here will be
found goods from all the prominent manufacturers of Europe
and America. The firm are well known in the city as being the
best shirt makers in Ontario. There are no authentic statistics
of the number of collars, cuffs, shirts, &c., sold in Toronto
during the year, but the number must be immense, if only
judged from the enormous number of boxes of collars, cuffs,
shirts, &c., received and disposed of by this firm each year. The
business is personallv conducted by I. Cooper and H. Cooper.
(See plate F, opposite page 218.)

Gordon's Carpet Warehouse. — Mr. Gordon's store may be
taken as the representative of its class on Yonge street, being
situated on the west side, near Adelaide street. Here will
always be found a large stock of all kinds of oil cloths, carpets ,
curtains, and house furnishings. Mr. Gordon is well and
favourably known in the city as an energetic, enterprising
tradesman.

Thomas Griffith & Co., grocers and wine merchants,
London and Itahan warehouse. The building occupied by this
firm is a handsome brick three storey building with mansard
roof, and is situate at 218 Yonge street, corner of Albert street.
This may be considered as one of the pioneer firms of Toronto,
being established in the wholesale and retail grocery ' business

356

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

nearly a quarter of a century. This house for many years was
exclusively engaged in the direct importing trade from almost
every market in the world, entering Tar gely into fruits, wines, and
brandies from Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France, and teas from
China and Japan. The importation of direct cargoes of sugar,
molasses, and cigars from Havana, also occupied their attention
for many 3^ears. For a long period this firm ranked foremost in
the importation of special lines of fancy groceries, so much so
that their name became "familiar as household words" for
delicacies of all kinds. In 1872 the London and Italian Ware-
house was opened as a retail establishment, and now Toronto
can boast c^f having one of the finest stores and business houses
in the Dominion, devoted to the sale of ftvery article coming
within the miscellaneous range of groceries. (See plate 28.)

Mr. Howarth's Drug Store is situate at No. 243 Yonge
street, and is one of the oldest houses on the street, retaining its
original name. Mr. Howarth is one of the oldest traders of
Toronto, having commenced business on Queen street - in 1849,
and ten years afterwards removed to Yonge street. The store
is a neat white brick building of three storeys, and is fitted up
in a very chaste manner, the stock consisting of all the staple
and fancy articles found in all drug stores transacting an
extensive business. Mr. Howarth is noted for the large dis-
pensing trade he has for many years carried on.

Alexander's Jewellery and Watch Store, 350 Yonge street, is
one of the largest and best fitted stores of its class in the
northern portion of the city, and has, with the rapid growth of
this section of Toronto, accumulated a large business in both
departments of the trade. Mr. Alexander always has on
hand a choice stock of jewellery, watches, &c., but his establish-
ment is most noted for the repairing of all kinds of watches,
jewellery, &c., in which branch Mr. Alexander has had upwards
of twenty years' practical experience in the repairing of watches,
jewellery, &c.

N. McEachren, igi Yonge Street, occupies a store situated
in Albert Hall, having a frontage of 26 feet and a depth of 200

357

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

feet. In the front is a show room, with a cutting and fitting
room attached. In the rear are rooms for manufacturing pur-
poses. Mr. McEachren makes military tailoring a specialty,
and has for many years been one of the principal military
tailors in Toronto, and has an undisputed reputation for perfect
fit and workmanship. See plate 30.

G. B. Smith & Co.'s, Drug Store, 354 Yonge Street,
(four doors north of Elm), is located in the centre of a three
storey red brick building with large show window, and wel^
lighted throughout, presenting a brilliant, and very attractive
appearance. Although this firm have only been three years
Established they have obtained for themselves a reputation and
patronage which is unsurpassed by many of the older estab-
lished pharmacies. The dispensing department has always
received the greatest care and attention. The store is neatly
fitted up with costly show cases, in which is a large variety of
perfumery and fancy articles of all descriptions. They also
deal in patent and proprietary medicines. In the rear of the
store is a neatly fitted up laboratory.

William Mara's Grocery Store, north-east corner of John
and Queen streets, is one of the most prominent and one of the
best structures devoted to trading purposes on Queen street
west. It is a three story , brick building in the modern French
style, surmounted by a handsome mansard roof, and has a
frontage of 22 feet, and a depth extending along John street of
100 fe/et. The trade of the establishment is probably the largest
family grocery trade in the western division of the city, and the
store in its fittings and stock gives marked evidence of the
rapid strides which Queen street is making towards becoming
one of the most important business thoroughfares in Toronto.
The store contains a very large assortment of general groceries
and liquors, Mr. Mara in some lines of goods being the only
dealer in the city. We believe he is the only trader in the
Province who imports direct Greek wines.

Cheesworth and Frazer — Messrs. Cheesworth and Frazer,
merchant tailors and gentlemen's outfitters, occupy tlie eastern

358

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

portion of the ground floor of the United Empire Club building .
(See plate 35 for view.) This house has an established reputa-
tion for the excellence of material kept in stock, and the work-
manship of all articles produced. The premises are well lighted
and most admirably adapted for a first class tailoring establish-
ment.

Thomas Claxton's Musical Emporium is situate at 197
Yonge street above Queen street ; also a branch store at 362
and 364 Qusen street west. The Yonge street establishment
is a large and commodious store devoted to the sale of all kinds
of wind and other musical instruments. The stock consists of
a very large assortment of concertinas, violins, drums, brass
and reed instruments, and instrumental framings and fittings,
and a large selection of sheet and book music. Mr. Claxton
supplies musical organizations with their required instruments
at trade prices. At the Queen street branch will be also found
a large assortment of musical instruments, fancy goods, and
Berlin wools.

China Hall is a well known house among the citizens of
Toronto. Those who have had need to purchase anything in
china or glassware, probably have visited the well stocked show
rooms of Glover Harrison, and casual passers are struck with
the beautiful and artistic goods always displayed in the window.
Mr. Glover Harrison's establishment, better known as China
Hall, is situate on King street east, and is a quaint, old-
fashioned structure, but very comrnodious. The show room is
22 wide and 110 feet deep, and is remarkable for the choice
stock of French and other china, and plain, cut, engraved and
coloured glassware always to be found on its shelves, counters,
and in its show cases. The very finest productions of the
European factories may here be seen in almost every imaginable
article of manufacture. Beautiful Parian busts and statuettes
of the world's celebrities will also be found here, intermingled
with the most successful imitations of tropical and native
flowers, glass shades, table equipments, and flower simnds, &c.
Behind the saleroom is a large warehouse stored with plain and

359

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

fancy earthenware, in quantities one would think ample enough
to meet the requirements of the whole Provin<3e.

J. H. Same's Furniture Warehouse — This firm have
splendid show rooms in the Albert Hall buildings, Yonge street.
Their show room is elegant and commodious, and has a frontage
of 20 feet and a depth of 200 feet, with of&ce attached. The firm
is well known for the excellent and durable workmanship,
which characterizes all grades of furniture kept by them. Here
will be found furniture in oak, pine, and cherry, freely inter-
mingled with chestnut and maple, and black walnut ; and most
artistically carved bedroom and parlour sets, and splendid par-
lour and library suites, finished in oil and varnish. In the
finishing and upholstering department, which is conducted in
the rear in a large room 60 by 60 feet, the most exquisite pro-
ductions, such as display the finest taste and rarest execution,
are always to be found.

Messrs. Norris & Soper. — The establishment of Messrs.
Norris and Soper, wholesale and retail piano and organ dealers.
No. 8 Adelaide street east, is a neat and solid three storey brick
building, with a frontage of 25 feet and a depth of 140 feet.
Modern pianofortes are so near a duplicate of one another that
generally there is but little to particularise ; but, in this case,
their leading piano, " The Mathushek," is something of a
novelty, the arrangement of strings and bridges being such as to
give greater length, particularly to the latter, this being a point
long admitted by manufacturers as a very important one, giving
more bridge room and individuality to the strings, purity of tone
and vibration in proportion to the grain of the sounding board
crossed by the bridges, and when it is remembered that the
pitch of a tone is determined by the number of vibrations in a
second — so me a hundred and some a thousand, and all interme-
diate numbers between — the importance of bridge room is evi-
dent, and in this particular piano there is nearly two feet more
bridge than in any other square piano made. The makers, and
many arMsts, claim for this a volume and beauty of tone found
elsewhere only in concert grands. Over five thousand of these

360

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

pianos ai,'e now in use, with a constantly increasing demand.
They are made in three sizes, viz. : 5 feet 9 inches, and
6 feet 10 inches long, ani also concert grands. This firm also
handles pianos from other makers, but their trade is principally
wholesale, controlling the Mathushek and Fischer pianos for
the Dominion, and Prince organs for Ontario and Quebec. They
have about seventy-five local agents throughout the Dominion,
and are constantly extending their wholesale trade. See
plate 42.

Shapter & Jeffrey's Drug Store, 443 Yonge Street, corner
of Carleton street, is a neat red brick building, two storeys high,
with white brick facings, having a frontage of 23 feet and a
depth of 80 feet. This is the oldest and most reliable dis-
pensing drug store in the city, and does one of the largest
dispensing trades. Mr. Shapter settled in Toronto in 1848,
having been in business in England for eight years previously.
So long an experience points to the firm as one that is cal-
culated to win the confidence of the public, for in no business
is such care and attention required as in that of a dispensing
chemist. The store is fitted up with attractive and costly show
cases, so universal with all modern drug stores, and which
shows off to great advantage the fancy toilet articles, perfumery,
&c. There is also a large stock of proprietary medicines always
on hand.

Messrs. A. & S. Nordheimer.— This firm was established in
1841, and is the oldest house in the Dominion trading in music
and musical instruments. It was first commenced by Mr. A.
Nordheimer in Kingston, which was at that time the capital of
the Province. After the removal of the seat of Government,
their headquarters were removed to Toronto. Shortly after
branches were opened in various parts of the Province, and they
now have houses in all the principal cities of the Dominion, and
the esteem in which they have been held as business men,
always supplying the best article of the kind that can be pro-
duced, is evidenced in the fact that they have now become
wealthy. Fortunately for their fellow citizens their wealth has

361

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

been devoted to whatever would contribute to the promotion o f
high musical art, and in this way is a benefit and an ornament to
the various cities with which they are connected by business.
They are now, and have been for years, the most extensive firm,
and the largest purchasers on the continent of the Steinway,
Chickering, Dunham, and Haines Pianos. They are also, by
this very success which they have had, and by their integrity as
business men, Members of the Board of Music Trade in the
United States — publishing houses of importance only being
eligible for such membership.

LUMBER MERCHANTS.

Silliman's Lumber Yard. — The lumber yard of Mr. Silliman
and known as the Crystal Palace Lumber Yard, is the largest in
or around the City of Toronio. It is situate at the foot of
Niagara street, and, having direct connections with the Grand
Trunk, Great Western, Northern, Toronto, Grey & Bruce, and
Toronto and Nipissiiig Eailways, has excellent shipping
facilities. It covers an area of upwards of three acres, and
always contains an immense pile of all kinds. Mr. Silliman has
for many years carried on a very large lumber trade in various
States of the Union, and has consequently acquired a thorough
practical knowledge of the requirements of the trade both in
Canada and the United States. Perhaps no fact could more
clearly show the importance attained" by the lumber trade of
Toronto, and its rapid development, than the establishment of
so large a yard in our midst, by so thoroughly practical a man
as Mr. Silliman. A view of his yard will be seen on plate H.

S. S. Mutton & Co.'s Lumber Yard, on the corner of Queen
and Sherbourne streets, is one of the most extensive yards in
the eastern portion of the city. The yard has li frontage on
Queen street east of 55 feet, and 160 feet oo Sherbourne street,
the office being on the south-western corner of the lot. Here

362

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

is always found a large quantity of all kinds of lumber, bill
stuff, &c. Mutton & Co. have recently removed to 35 Adelaide
street east, where they now carry on a wholesale lumber
business.

Collins Brothers, having recently bought out the business
and stock of S. S. Mutton, have made arrangements for extend-
ing their line of operations, so that now, in addition to their
ordinary lumber trade of the yard, they are dealers in coal
and cordwood, for which extra trade they have the most
ample accommodation and unusual facilities for promptly
meeting all the demands that may be made upon them,
either for the supply of dealers or householders. Their yard
is well stocked with all kinds of manufactured and unmanu-
factured lumber, bill stuffs, skirting, flooring dressed and un-
dressed, shingles, and all kinds of builders' requisites in soft or
hard woods." In the retail section a large stock of beech,
maple, and pine cordwood, cut and uncut, will always be
found on hand, ready for prompt delivery. Coal of all kinds
at current rates, may also always be had on the shortest
notice. Messrs. Collins Brothers appear to have determined
that not only will they maintain the large business formerly car-
ried on here, but to considerably extend it, and their well known
energy and business ability will no doubt speedily bring about
the result. The firm is composed of W. A. Collins and J. W.
Collins.

Bryce Brothers & Co — The firm of Bryce Brothers and
Co., lumber merchants, and dealers in all kinds of building
requisites, rank among the foremost in this particular branch
of the city trade. Their yard, known as the St. Lawrence yard,
is situate in the eastern part of the city, on what may be
regarded as the original site of Toronto in its infant days, for
near where this lumber yard now stands at one time stood the
Parliament buildings of the Province, and close around them
the whole of the business places and dwellings of the early
founders of what was once "muddy York," now Toronto. The
yard is at the foot of Berkeley street, and extends about 250

363

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

yards west along Front street. It closely adjoins the Toronto
and Nipissing Eailway depot, by which line large quantities
of sawn and unsawn lumber is daily brought into the yard.
The tracks of the Grand Trunk, Northern, and Toronto,
Grey and Bruce, and Great Western Railways are also closely
adjacent to this yard. These lines, together with the exten-
sive wharfs adjoining the yard, gives to Bryce Brothers un-
usual facilities for the shipment of orders to all parts of the
Dominion, and to the neighbouring Republic, to the Eastern
States of which large shipments are annually made. The
firm are largely engaged in building operations, probably
being the largest builders in Toronto, and have the sole right
to sell in the city all the building requisites manufactured by
Knox Brothers, of Walkerton. A large quantit}^ of pine,
hardwood, dressed lumber, and sash and door mouldings, will,
always be found in stock.

Somers Atkinson, 410 Queen street west, was first estab-
lished in the lumber trade in the year 1850, his shipping being
then done at Tinning's old wharf. At that time the lumber
trade was in its infancy, lumber being hauled from 50 to 60
miles to the Toronto market (this was in the year in which
Lady Elgin turned the first sod on the opening of the Northern
Road, nearly opposite the Parliament Buildings), and has been
in the shipping trade ever since, doing a large export business
to the United States. During 1876 he commenced the retail
trade at the above address, having purchased the old stand of
Samuel Scarlett. The yard has a frontage of 90 feet and a
depth of 300 feet, with an extension to Yanauley street. The
yard is well supplied with a select stock of pine, lumber, &c.,
principally drawn from the mill at Severn Bridge. Mr. Atkin-
son having a large practical experience in the inspection of
lumber, purchasers will find his stock of the finest quality and
best value in the market. He has also an extensive trade
both at home and abroad.

Donogh, McCool & Oliver.— This firm are the successors of
S. R. Briggs, who may be regarded as the pioneer of that branch

3^4

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

of the lumber trade of this city. Tiie business was first
established by Mr. Briggs in 1868, which was at the time when
almost every department of trade in Toronto was rapidly
recovering from the heavy depression which for several years
had retarded the growth of this city. He was the first lumber
merchant to embark in the purely wholesale trade of selling car
and cargo lots. This firm, with its old and established trade
connections, and its facilities for handling large lots, is doing a
large and increasing business, CKtending to the United States.
The firm do a large local and Western trade. (See plate K.)

BANKERS, BROKERS, REAL ESTATE AGENTS.

R. H. Brett, General Banker.— The banking house of R. H.
Brett is situate at the northern end of the building known as
York Chambers, on Toronto street. The business is conducted
on the principles of the English joint stock banks. It opens
current accounts, allows interest on special deposits, draws ex-
change on London and New York, and issues drafts on demand,
available in ail the principal towns of Great Britain, Ireland
and the Continent of Europe, and makes collections (drafts
only) for foreign banking and mercantile firms in every part of
Canada. See plate 20.

W. B. Phipps & Son, Bankers and Brokers — This house,
which occupies the centre part of the ground floor of the York
Chambers, Toronto street, is one of the oldest financial firms in
the city, Mr. W. B. Phipps being the first banker and broker
in the city. He was also Manager of the first Building Society
in Toronto, which being on the "terminating plan" was closed
^ by him to the satisfaction of all concerned. Mr. Phipps is an
active member of the St. George's Society. He has held the
office of President, and for many years has been Treasurer; he
is one of the Society's oldest members. The house now transacts
a general banking business and buys and sells stocks of all

365

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

kinds, and is well-known, and enjoys a very high reputation
among the merchants of Toronto. (See plate 20.)

Private Bankers. — The private banking establishment of
Eobert Beaty is situate at No. 53 King street east. Mr. Beaty
is one of the Board of City Stock Brokers, and in addition to his
stock buying business transacts a general banking and money
exchange business, and is among the oldest of the private banks
of the city.

Pearson Brothers, Real Estate Agents, Brokers, and
Valuators. — In an age like the present, when the public are
invited, through inducements of larger profits and dividends
being held out to them, to invest their money in undertakings
of every description, it behoves every right-thinking man before
parting with his cash, to ask himself the question, "What guar-
antee have I that my capital is safe ? " It is a lamentable
fact that many a poor widow and orphan have lost their all,
and been made destitute and brought to want by indirectly
investing their money in concerns of which they knew compa-
ratively nothing, but relying upon the plausible inducements
held out by some fancy prospectus got up by unscrupulous pro-
moters. On the other hand it cannot be gainsaid that many
widows and fatherless children live in ease and even affluence by
having had the good fortune of being counselled and advised by
conscientious as well as shrewd business men to invest their
money in property that yields them a fair, advantageous, and
every year increasing revenue. There cannot be a question
about the fact that of all investments, that in real estate is the
best, the safest, and at the same time the most profitable.
The firm of Pearson Brothers, of 17 Adelaide street east, have
already acquired an enviable reputation in real estate transac-
tions and as valuators. They are men of undoubted ability
and sound judgment, and their honesty and integrity stands
high in the commercial world. They rightly and justly advise
every man to become his own landlord, and there is many a
family in this Canada of ours whose head has been called
away in the prime of life, and at a most unexpected moment,

366

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

who have to thanl^ Messrs. Pearson Brothers that they have a
home of their own, one on which no man can lay his hand. In
a young country like ours, it follows in the natural course of
t hings, that real estate rises considerably in value, and this is
the more perceptible in large towns and cities, and an agent
who is thoroughly alive to his business will find out those spots
which are still vacant, and which can be bought at a reason-
able or even low rate, and we are informed on good authority
that Pearson Brothers make it their special business, by closely
wat ching the market, to have always a number of these lots and
houses on hand, and at the disposal of their customers ; and
we are quite certain that intending purchasers and investors will
find it to their advantage to consult as well as have their busi-
ness transacted through the agency of Messrs. Pearson Brcthers
of Toronto.

Lake & Clark, Estate and Financial Agents. — This firm
have made the business of the sale of real estate and the
loaning of money a specialty for the past seven years, and have
made a large business connection, which, with their correct and
honourable dealings, recommend them to parties who desire to
transact business in that line. Eecently they commenced the
issue of the " Land Owner and Investor," a monthly paper
giving information as to the purchase and sale of real estate
and investments, also containing a list of properties for sale.
In this line of business it is advisable for parties to entrust
their matters with thorough and largely experienced persons
who conscientiously endeavour to carry out the trust imposed
upon them, and are responsible for what they do. Their offices
are large and conveniently situated, being nearly opposite the
Post Office, No. 41 Adelaide street east. (See plate K.)

S earth, Cochran & Co. — For description see Union Block,
under Miscellaneous Business Houses, page 375.

367

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

miscellai^jeous business houses.

W. H. Stone, Undertaker. — The undertakers of Toronto
are a prett}^ numerous class, but there are only a very
few that are favoured with the select trade, namely, the fur-
nishing and equipment for the principal families and for public
funerals. As a representative establishment of this class let us
take a walk into the establishment of W. H. Stone, 239 Yonge
street, and this we may regard as the most complete in the
city. On entering the sale room we find a large number of
coffins of all sizes, and made of walnut, rosewood, and oak ; here
to will be seen caskets of the most costly kind, ranging up to
$290. Behind the sale room is the trimming room, where every
appliance and necessary stock is found. Connected with' the
trimming room is the workshop, adjacent to which we find
the carriage room with its three. hearses, and one of these is a
beautifully artistic piece of workmanship, costing upwards of
$1,500. The stables are in close contiguity to the carriage
room, and contains a splendid team of jet black horses, which
for size and colour most nearly approach the celebrated Flemish
horses, Mr. Stone has conducted many of the principal
funerals of the city, both public and private, during the last
two years.

Hutchinson & Burns, 140 and 142 Simcoe Street,

manufacturers of buggies, landaus, and family carriages. Both
of these gentlemen are thoroughly practical men and of long
experience, having been in the carriage business since 1842.
They opened their pr8sent establishment in 1870, which is large
and well adapted for their trade. They have a frontage of 52
feet and a depth of 100 feet ; there is also a large black^ith's
shop fronting on Nelson street, connecting with the main
building on Simcoe street. On the first floor is the office and
show room, and in the rear is the wood shop. On the -second

368

Lake &. Clark. Donogh. MSCool &: Oliver

LAND&LOAN OFFICL. WHOLESALE LUMBER

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

floor are the various departments, such as pamting, gearing,
trimming, and varnishing rooms. Here can be seen carriages
in all their stages, from the CDmmBncemsnt of the making of
the wood work until the completion of the neatly appointed
buggy or carriage. Their stock is male from the best seasoned
wood, and all of second growth timber. The firm use exclusively
the celebrated Noble & Hoare's English varnish. They do an
export trade to the United States. For heavy family carriages
the firm took the first prize in the Crystal Palace in 1875.
They have a large stock of splendid specimens of carriage
building art in the various buggies, landaus, &c. The writer on
his visit to the works noticed a splendid English brougham, a
perfect gem ; the whole of the trimmings were imported from
England. One noticeable feature in the carriage which must
render it a luxury to the occupant is a dial placed on the inside,
with a corresponding dial in front of the coachman, by which
he is told the wishes of the occupant as simply as reading the
face ot a clock. The firm employ twenty-two men all the year
round.

Jamieson & Carroll, 66 Adelaide Street West, Manufac-
turers of Lime, Bricks, and Brick Making Machines. This firm
was originally in the building trade for many years, and started
in their present business in 1873. Their brick fields are at
Seaton village, where they employ a large number of men
makuig their bricks by machinery, a thing only recently
attempted in Canada, dispensing as it does with the old-time
horsepower. The firm have now working three large Martin
machines. One of these machines is capable of turmng out the
enormous number of 3,000 bricks per hour. Messrs. Jamieson
& Carroll are part owners of the Patent Martin Self-acting
Stock Brick Machine, and sole owners for Canada. This
machine is automatic in its construction, and is what is termed
a sand striking machine, the moulds being dusted with fine
sharp sand before placing them in the midline. The lime
works are at Alton station, on the Toronto, Grey, and Bruce
Railway, where the firm have an immense quarry of first class

369

TORONTO : PAST AND PRE^SENT.

lime stone, large draw kilns working day and night ; and so large
is their business that they have often great difficulty in supply-
ing their orders.

Singer Sewing Machine Co.— The first store at the north of
the Masonic Block is occupied by the " Singer Manufa^jturing
Company of New York," manufacturers of the world-ienowned
" Singer " sewing machines, who established their headquarters
for Canada here in 1874, and under the able management of
Mr. K. C. Hickox the Canadian trade of this Company has
amounted to so much that it is now looked upon as one of the
principal branches of the New York office. The Singer has
become a household word in every portion of the globe, and the
great popularity of the machines may be judged from the sales
of 1876, when they sold the enormous number of 262,316
machines, being in excess of all competitors by the astonishing
number of 153,022 machines. See plate 14.

Burnett's Livery, Boarding and Sale Stables. — Mr. Bur-
nett began the business in the beginning of the ye^r 1873, to
supply a want that was generally acknowledged to be felt in
Centre Toronto, namely, a first class livery, where civilit}',
courtesy, and first-class equipments and horses could be had.
Mr. Burnett keeps on hand good reliable saddle and driving
horses, and comfortable stylish vehicles of all kinds will always
be found on his premises either for sale or hire. He also
boards horses by the day, week, or longer periods at very low
rates, and holds periodical auction, sales of stock and vehicles,
making returns to the vendors as soon as disposed of. He also
undertakes commissions for the sale or purchase of horses,
carriages of all descriptions, harness, &c. Call on him at No.
16 Adelaide street west.

John Young, Undertaker. — Probably nothing causes more
surprise in Toronto, to visitors from the British Isles, than the
undertaking establishments of the city. To residents and
natives of the American continent the sight of coffins and
funeral fittings in store windows is a matter to which custom
has made the sight as familiar as the store of the grocer or

370

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

baker, but to the Britisher it is a sight which causes intense sur-
prise. In his own land he never sees coffins publicly exposed,
and such as he may happen to see in the chamber of death are
either made of oak or metal; so the beautifully polished w^oods
and finely finished coffins of America are matters of surprise and
wonder. The establishment of John Young, Yonge street, may
be taken as a very good example of this kind of trade, for here is
kept one -of the largest and best stocks in the city. See plate 42.

The Star Life Assurance Society has its chief office at
No. 32 Moorgate street, London, England. It was organized
in the year 1843, and by careful and economical management
has grown to its present influential position. It is one of the
wealthiest corporations now doing business in Canada. The
Star has an insurance reserve capital of $7,000,000 (seven
millions of dollars), invested for the benefit of policy holders.
The Star has a larger proportion of its reserve invested in
Canada than any other Life Insurance Company having its head
office out of the Dominion. The Company is largely denomina-
tional in its composition, having originated with a few leading
men connected with the Methodist Church in England. The
denominational feature is still maintained in England, and the
Directors are chiefly Methodists. The chairman is Mr. Alder-
man McArthur, Member of the British House of Commons for
the London borough of Lambeth. A. W. Lauder, Esq., M.P.P.,
is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Society in Canada ; office,
No. 1 Masonic Hall Buildings. See plate 14.

The Restaurants of Toronto.— Like the leading hotels the
restaurants of Toronto are very favourably known among the
travelling community. To the country merchants or temporary
visitors to the city, the leading restaurants afford every con-
venience and comfort which the daily visitor finds at the most
costly hotels. Their popularity is best attested by the number
of city merchants and others who daily dine at their tables,
many of the leading merchants preferring the restaurants to the
hotels for daily fare. As an example of this class of houses we
may instance the establishment of M. A. Thomas on King

371

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

street west, and usually known as Thomas' Chop House. The
popularity of this establishment in Toronto is well known, and
in fact much of tlie high favour enjoyed by the leading
restaurateurs of Toronto is in some degree owing to
the reputation achieved by this house under Mr. Thomas'
management. The house was established upwards of twenty
years ago, and is now the oldest of its class in the city, and
during the whole of that time, by a combination of the best parts
of the English and American systems, Thomas' Chop House has
been a synonymous name for popular favour. The situation of
the house is most admirable for its purpose, being on our
principal public street, between Yonge street and Bay street,
and in the very centre of the business part of the city. The
ground floor contains a well appointed bar and lunch counter,
with a light luncheon room adjoining, and on the first floor
is a finely fitted dining room suitable for ladies and private
parties.

J. L. Rawbone, 123 Yonge street, Gun, Rifle, and Gun
Implement Manufacturer. This house, established in 1870, is
now the leading establishment in Ontario for everything con-
nected with sportsmen, and is situated on Yonge street near
Adelaide street. It is the only manufactory of breech-loading
gun implements in Canada, in addition to which Mr. Rawbone
has also the largest gun implement factory in the United States,
from whence he supplies goods to his American, English, South
African, and Australian customers. The celebrated " Rawbone
Creaser," and the " Rawbone Combined Hand Turnover Rammer
and Extractor," are the products of this house. The house
obtained honours at the Centennial and Australian Exhibitions
in its exhibits. The fact that previous to starting his factory in
the States the American houses ordered largely from him in
preference to their own makers in spite of a prohibitory duty of
40 per cent., speaks volumes for his workmanship and figures.
Sportsmen may rely upon obtaining the genuine article from
Mr. Rawbone, he having been a large manufacturer in England
previous to 1870.

372

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

The Palace Store, 470 Yonge Street, occupied by Mrs.
Kelley. — The Palace store, 470 Yonge street, corner of Grenville
street, occupied by Mrs. Kelley, is a large brick building three
storeys high, with stone dressings ; it has a frontage of 25 feet by
66 feet deep. This business was commenced in 1874, and has been
steadily increasing. Mrs. Kelley imports largely of Berlin wools,
embroidery, and ladies' small- wares, with the latest designs in
English, German and American fancy work. Orders for ladies'
furnishing goods, stamping, embroidery, brackets, banneretts,
slipper cases, &c., &c., can be executed at the shortest notice ;
and the social standing of her numerous patrons is a guarantee
that the work is done in first class style. The interior of the
store, with its neat and attractive show cases, is filled with a
large and extensive stock of beautiful fancy articles, and the
lady must indeed be most fastidious who cannot find a design
to suit, or an article fit for a present.

Messrs. Walsh 8c Co.'s Imperial Soda Water Works, 124
Berkeley Street.— This factory was estabHshed in the year
1868, and is now the oldest in the city. Mr. Walsh commenced
business on Clare street, but finding increased accommodation
necessary, four years ago removed to his present premises on
Berkeley street, which were formerly occupied by Mr. Charles
Boeckh's Brush Factory ; the building is 30 feet front by 66 feet
deep. The capacity of the factory is very great, and as man}^
as twelve hundred dozen of ginger ale, soda water, and sarspa-
rilla, have been turned out in one day, everything being done by
the most improved machinery — bottling, washing, corking, &c.
The business amounts to about 100,000 dozen a year, and in the
manufacture of these beverages there is about $5,000 worth of
the finest granulated sugar used. There is no doubt a large busi-
ness will be done by these factories in the future, on account of the
large stride the temperance movement has made of late through-
out the city. Mr. Walsh supplies many of the leading saloons
and restaurants of the city.

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

Rossin House. — This house has recently been leased by
Mark H. Irish, for the past five years proprietor of the justl}
celebrated Park Hotel, Madison, Wisconsin. The Kossin House
Hotel Company have, since February last, expended twenty-five
thousand dollars in permanent improvements, enlarging the
offices, gentlemen's reading rooms, laying marble floors, and
now have under contract the building of a spacious and mag-
nificent Ordinary. Mr. Irish has refitted and refurnished the
entire house in the latest and most elegant style, including new
passenger and baggage elevators (a convenience heretofore
unknown in any hotel in Canada), which secures to the Eossin
all the convenience and comfort that can be found in the modern
hotels in New York and Chicago. The terms are $'2, $2.50, and
$3 per day, according to location, for all rooms except those with

373

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

parlours and baths attached ; rooms without board $1 to $2 per
day. In order to suj)ply a want long felt by parties visiting
Toronto for a day's shopping from adjoining cities and towns.
Mr. Irish has fitted up a ladies' reception room with toilet
attached for their especial accommodation. For description of
hotel see pages 255 and 256.

The Union Block. — The Union block, situate on the north-
west corner of Toronto and Adelaide streets, is one of the hand-
somest buildings in the city devoted to business purposes. It
was erected in 1874, and is built of white pressed brick finished
with stone dressings, and is in the Italian style of architecture.
A dome surmounts the north-east corner of the building, and
gives a somewhat imposing appearance to the structure — sur-
rounded as it is with some of the finest examples of street
architecture to be frund in the city. This block does not loose
anything by comparison, but rather brings out of this contrast
the beauty of some of the adjacent buildings. The upper floors
of the building are devoted to offices, principally occupied by
barristers, architects, &c. The ground floor is occupied as
follows : — (For illustration see plate 33.)

The Post Office Book and News Store occupies the corner
of the block. Mr. Wilkinson, the proprietor, succeeded Mr.
Irving in this business, and by his energy and enterprise has
made this one of the most popular book and news stores in To-
ronto. A visitor entering this store would be struck by the
innumerable number of newspapers and periodicals here
kept ; almost every illustrated paper pubHshed in Europe or
America will be seen here, and a very large collection of photo-
graphs of celebrities of every country, together with books and
stationery.

The Union Loan and Savings Company also occupy offices
in this block. This Society was established in 1865 with a
capital of $500,000, their total assets being $670,682. Their
twelfth annual report shows the Company to be in a highly
prosperous condition, having paid two dividends of ten
per cent, for the year ending February, 1877, and added to the

374

TRADE AND COMMERCE.

reserve fund the sum of $15,000, which now amounts to $60,000,
being nearly 17 per cent, on the paid up capital of the Com-
pany, which is $375,000. This statement, considering the
depression of business in all branches, must be satisfactory to
the shareholders and prove to them that their interests are
carefully guarded. The President of the Company is Francis
Kichtirdson ; Vice-President, Arthur Lepper ; Secretary and
Treasurer, W. Maclean.

Scarth, Cochrane & Co., 38 Toronto Street, Stock Brokers
and Keal Estate Agents, Members of the Toronto Stock Ex-
change, General Managers of the North British Canadian
Investment Company (Limited), General Agents of the Mer-
chant's Marine Insurance Company, for Western Ontario. Mr.
W. B. Scarth is also President of the Collin's Bay Kafting and
Forwarding Company. The North British Canadian Invest-
ment Company (Limited), with a capital of £500,000 sterling,
has its head offices in Glasgow, Scotland, and has an influential
Directorate there, and a wealthy body of shareholders. This
Company lends on very advantageous terms, and is doing a
large and remunerative business. The Merchant's Marine
Insurance Company of Canada, with a capital of $1,000,000,
was organized in Montreal in 1875, and has among its
Directorate many of the influential men there. It presents a
very satisfactory report for the first year, considering the
general depression in all kinds of trade, for besides paying a
dividend of eight per cent, for the year, paying off all the ex-
penses of organization, as well as* laying aside a large sum for
losses not due or adjusted, the Directors were able to carr}^ to a
fund for the re-insurance of all outstanding risks of the Com-
pany $38,032, a sum largely in excess of what would actually
be required. The Collin's Bay Kafting and Forwarding Com-
pany has for Directors many of the leading lumbermen in
Ontario, and is doing a very large and profitable business.
Scarth, Cochrane & Co. also negotiate bonds and debentures, and
buy and sell stocks on commission.

375

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

The citizens of Toronto have good reason to feel proud of the
many splendid educational Institutions in the various parts of
the city.

The fame of her Colleges of Divinity, Medicine and Classics,
and her School of Practical Science, have spread far beyond the
limits of the Province, or the Dominion, and earned an enviable
reputation for the Queen City as a seat of learning.

The Public Schools of the city as seen on pages 218 and 219,
have also done much to earn for Toronto the enviable reputation
she now enjoys. But ample as are the facilities offered by the
free schools of the city for imparting a liberal education to the
masses of the rising youth, yet it is an obvious fact that the
superior private schools of the city supply a necessary want for
imparting a training in any special department such as specially
qualifying the students for commercial pursuits ; and, in the
case of young ladies' schools, affording a higher and more ac-
complished education, are effecting a good work, and doing
much to spread the fame of our fair city as a seat of learning.
On the other hand there are some private schools that are
generally regarded as scholastic Institutions of which the citi-
zens are justly proud, both on account of their high character
and the successful result of the system followed. One of these
had the honor, in October, 1872, of a visit from His Excellency
the Governor-General, Lord Dufferin, who paid a well merited
compliment to the excellence of the management and the char-
acter of the education imparted by giving his own name to the
school in commemoration of the event. The educational estab-
lishment of Miss Dupont, known as the Dufferin House, the one
referred to, may be selected as the model, supplying in the
fullest degree all the e ssential requirements of a private school,
affording a higher, more liberal, and more select scholastic
training than any other public or private Institution the city

376

PRIVATE RESIDENCES.

boasts. Dnfferin House is a commodious detached three storey
structure, built of white brick, finished with stone dressings.
The situation, on the upper part of John Street, is open and
healthy, being about the same level above Lake Ontario as Uni-
versity College, and the grounds afford ample room for recrea-
tion. The interior is admirably adapted for the requirements of
a boarding and day school, the rooms being large, comfortably
furnished, and well ventilated and heated throughout, affording
all the comforts of a well regulated home. The cours^e of study
embraces all that is requisite for a thorough English education,
including French, German, Italian, Latin, Music (vocal and
instrumental), and Drawing. The course of instruction is under
the personal arrangement of Miss Dupont, who has long enjoyed
a very high reputation, as a successful teacher. She is also
assisted by her sister. Miss Amy Dupont, and a staff of eleven
assistant teachers, including three resident governesses.

PRIVATE RESIDENCES.

The visitor to Toronto has many sights to see in her public
buildings and trips on her magnificent lake, but the wealth of
some of her enterprising merchants contributes many an ex-
quisite scene in their private residences and grounds. Promi-
nent among these is the magnificent house and grounds of S.
Nordheimer, Esq. It is situated on the Davenport Eoad in the
northern limits of Yorkville — a beautiful residence built in the
French style of architecture. The approach to the mansion is
- so constructed that as one crosses the many rustic bridges with
their silvery stream bubbling beneath, it makes one fancy that
he is in fairy land. The drive, in its several windings will, at
each turn, bring in view some new piece of charming scenery.
From many a prominent knoll one may descend to an entrancing
dell, where we find arbours of the choicest construction, where one
may rest awhile and inhale the fragrant perfumes emitted from
the numerous flowers and plants that at once tell us that no

377

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

tyro has helped nature to render it such a lovely place. It is,
with the exception of Sir Hugh Allan's residence in Montreal,
the most superb place in the Dominion. The scenery from the
mansion is of the utmost grandeur, embracing a bird's eye view
of the city and bay, together with a glimpse of Niagara Falls in
the distance. The residence internally is also fitted up with
magnificent luxury. On visiting the stabling we again see the
same lavish expenditure and taste which characterizes the entire
establishment. See plate 25.

Situated on Sherbourne street, between Carleton and Welles-
ley street, is the residence of H. S. Rowland, Esq. It is of
classic architecture ; the grounds are artistically laid out and
very spacious ; the house is surrounded with numerous trees
and shrubberies, presenting a picture of luxury and coolness
that must be perfectly deligl^tful to the residents.

Oaklands. — The residence of John Macdonald, Esq., M.P.,
situated on the ridge above the corporation limit of the village of
Yorkville, is built in the Gothic style. ' The visitor in passing this
delightful spot is at once struck with its beauty, which conveys
the idea that one is in some pleasure grounds, as most assured-
ly it must be to the family residing therein. From this point is
, obtamed a fine view of the city and lake. See plate 25.

Situated on the corner of Isabella and Hunter streets, is the
residence of John Hallam, Esq. The building is in the Gothic
style of archictecture, and is delightfully situated. The house
is surrounded by tastefully laid out grounds, with a wealth of
flowers that is perfectly refreshing to gaze on. Adjoining the
house is a large conservatory, full of the choicest exotics ; and
there is a large orcliard connected with the pleasure grounds.
See plate 24.

Crescent Place.— The residence of George D. Morse is
situated on the corner of Wilton Crescent and South Park
street; it is of Gothic architecture and substantially built, and
although of plain external appearance, has the look of being
erected for comfort instead of show. It is placed on one of the
finest crescents in the city, and surrounded with its lawn and

lip

T Webb's EIstabli s hment in ie42

MISCELLANEOUS.

gardens. Its oiitlaouses and stables denotes to the observer that
he is looking on the residence of one of Toronto's merchants.
See plate 24. .

Oakham House.— The beautiful residence of Mrs. John Mc-
Gee is situated on the corner of Church and Gould streets. It
is a very substantial and well built house, was erected by Mr.
Thomas, architect, and intended for his own residence. It
is of the Gothic style of architecture. The grounds are small,
but tastefully laid out with statues placed here and there,, which
are arranged with pleasing effect, and add materially to the
pleasantness of the grounds. An inviting arbor in the centre,
covered with a mantle of twining green of delicious perfumes, is
a tempting place to rest from the heat and enjoy the perfume of
the flowers. Mrs. McGee has fitted up the interior of the resi-
dence with an exquisite taste that must be seen before an}^ one
can realize the luxury to be found. The drawing room itself is
simply superb, every article in the room being made in perfect
Gothic style ; the walls are exquisitely painted, and the fresco
work denotes the skill of a master hand. With its mirrors and
beautiful furniture it constitutes one of the most perfect and
luxuriously furnished rooms it is possible to imagine, and cer-
tainly the most delightful it has been the pleasure of the writer
to have seen for a length of time. The whole of the house is
fitted up with the same good taste, and throughout displaying
the grandest style of Gothic architecture. See plate 19.

MISCELLANEOUS-

A Pleasure Trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls. — "

The tourist visiting Canada and the United States has a
multitude of sights and . scenes to visit and admire that are so
totally different to the classic lands of Italy, Spain, the European
continent and all ancient countries, with their legends and
historical memories, that it must be, by mere reason of its
change, perfectly refreshing in these the new countries of the

379

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

world. Nature in her wild grandeur and gorgeous scener}^ takes
the place of old memorials, and from no part can there be a
more delightful trip than from Toronto to Niagara Falls.
Niagara ! ! Who is there that does not feel a thrill of romantic
joy at the very mention of Niagara. The name is familiar to
one and all, and no matter in what quarter of the globe we are
we find tourists on their way to see this grand work of nature.
Being in such close proximity as we are to this enviable place,
we see excursionists daily, almost hourly, wending their way to
the steamers plying from this city. We took our departure on
board the well-known steamer " Southern Belle," a well fitted
boat, on which one can find everything that tends to make such
a trip a pleasure that may be thought of in years after. As we
steamed across the bay there was to be seen many a pleasure
party enjoying a sail in trim -looking yachts, outriggers, and
boats of every description. The "Belle" makes fast time, and
before we could fully realize the fact we found ourselves entering
the mouth of the river, where stands out prominently Fort
Niagara, from which we see floating in the breeze the well-
known Stars and Stripes of America, making us at once feel
that we can shake our American cousin by the hand. Taking
the cars from Niagara we were soon landed at Niagara Falls
Station, and took our first eager look at the "Falls;" but
what pen can attempt to describe the awful grandeur that bursts
upon the gaze ! We feel that we are inadequate to the task of find-
ing words to describe it, for one stands feeling he is in the presence
of one of the Creator's marvellous pieces of work. Crossing the
magnificent Suspension Bridge (which is classed as one of the
finest structures to be found in bridges in the world) we find
ourselves on the American side. The tourist from this point is
enabled to get a full view of the grand scene, with its volumes
of water ever pouring down over the mighty precipice. When
taking the view one feels awed, and is much inclined to stand
and gaze, until some friendly voice reminds him that there are
other points of interest here to be seen. At the Falls w^e find
every accommodation, there being numerous hotels and resorts.

380

MISCELLANEOUS.

Carriages can be readily secured, whereby the tourist can take
a drive that is enjoyable, embracing as it does such romantic
scenes that are unparallelled. After having our greed for sight
seeing so well satisfied by the grandeur here to be found we
reluctantly repaired to the boat, and feeling thoroughly tired
out we enjoyed a quiet return trip across the lake in the
refreshing cool of the evening to the City of Toronto.

Steamer " Southern Belle," Capt. Wm. Donaldson, formerly
the famous Eothesay Castle." This steamer was built at Ren-
frew on the Clyde, by Messrs. Wm. Simmons & Co., to run the
blockade during the late American war, and is consequently
one of the fastest boats on fresh water, especial attention having
been paid to make her attain great speed. Her gross tonnage
is 427 tons ; length, 200 feet. She is driven by two oscillating
engines of 600 horse power, and was fitted with a pair of new
boilers three years ago. The ''Belle" was thoroughly over-
hauled this spring, and her paddle wheels were raised twenty
inches, which has removed the cause of all the trivial stoppages
the steamer experienced last year. The new iron work was
done in first-class style by Messrs. Neil Currie & Co., and the
engine work by A. J. Cameron, her engineer (who is an ex-
perienced and well-known engineer to all steamboat owners in
the Province), the consulting engineers being the Government
Inspectors. She is making her trips this year in faster time
than ever, having made the trip from Niagara to Toronto in one
hour and fifty-seven minutes, and this too with only 25 or 30
pounds of steam ; an assurance of safety for the public. The
sponsors placed on her sides give her accommodation for fully
200 passengers more than she was able to carry before. The
" Southern Belle " makes cheap trips (twice a day) tri-weekly,
which is a great boon to the public, and her owner, I). S. Keith,
deserves every encouragement for the enterprise and spirit he
has displayed in catering for the citizens. No expense has been
spared in the internal fittings of the steamer, the gentlemen's
and ladies' saloon being fitted up with every convenience that
can conduce to the comfort of the passengers. There is an

381

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

elegant piano in the ladies' saloon. Mr. Keith having a
customs officer on board, bonded freight can be sent through
without any trouble to the shipper. The " Belle " runs in con-
nection with the Canada Southern Eailway, connecting with the
trains at Niagara. See plate 11.

The Toronto Necropolis. — This cemetery, laid out a few
years ago by Lhree or four of our city merchants, comprises a
plot of rolling ground fifteen acres in extent, stretching from
Sumach street on the west to the banks of the Don, and from
the Plank Eoad to the old Castle Frank Koad on the north. In
the centre of the grounds is a neatly constructed mausoleum or
vault for the reception of the dead, and where, during winter,
when the ground is impervious to the mattock, they are kept
for a considerable time. There is also a chapel, and a residence
for the Superintendent within the enclosure. This is a pleasant
spot for a Necropolis; on the one hand it overlooks the
Don, and is on the other sufficiently distant from the crowded
city to be secluded from its busy him. Hither may the mourner
lonely wend to drop a silent tear over the dust of the dear
departed, or strew fresh flowers around the narrow house.
Here, too, the visitor may profitably spend a silent hour. The
cemetery has recently passed into the hands of the Trustees of
the Toronto General Burying Ground, commonly called Potters
Field, a place now comprised within the Municipality of York-
ville and interdicted as a burying ground. The remains have
within the last year been exhumed and taken to the Necropolis
and other places.

The Crystal Palace.— In the early part of 1852 the Pro-
vincial Agricultural Association turned its attention to the
subject of a building for holding their exhibitions. The tender
of Messrs. Smith, Burke & Co. proposing to construct an iron
and glass building for the sum of i04,87O Is. Od. was accepted,
and the time being limited the work was immediately com-
menced. To meet the expense incident on the erection of
permanent buildings, the City Council voted the very liberal
sum of £5,000, and the Council of the United Counties of York

382

MISCELLANEOUS.

and Peel voted £1,000 to the same object. The building is
cruciform in style, the main body of it forming a parallellogram
256 feet in length and 96 feet in width, with two central pro-
jections in the north and south parallels, 16 feet by 64 feet and
16 feet by 44 feet, giving an extreme width of 144 feet, which
includes a covered entrance or porch in the southern front, 16
feet by 32 feet. There are four entrance doors, one in the
centre of each parallel. The total area under the roof is up-
wards of 33,280 superficial feet, which includes a space of 1,280
superficial feet covered by four spacious stairs leading to the
gallery. The superficial extent of the gallery is estimated at
11,000 feet. The extreme height from the ground floor to the
central roof is 55 feet. The walls are chiefly cast iron and glass
after the design (in a considerably modified form) of the Crystal
Palace of 1851. There were used in the construction of the
Palace 30,000 feet of tin, upwards of 300,000 feet of lumber,
9,000 feet of glass, 36 cwt. of nails, and 98 tons of cast iron.

St. James' Cemetery. — -This Cemetery comprises sixty-five
acres of rolling ground, and tastefully laid out under the super-
intendence of Mr. J. G. Howard, architect. It contains some
very good specimens of sculpture. There is a receiving mauso-
leum or vault near the centre of the grounds. There is also a
residence for the Superintendent and a handsome chapel for the
officiating clergyman. The Cemetery is in connection with St.
James' Cathedral, and under the superintendence of its clergy-
men and churchwardens.

Royal Magnetical Observatory. — This institution was
founded by the Imperial Government in 1846, and the officers
commenced their operations in a wooden building. In 1854
new buildings of stone of a more substantial character were
coijimenced, and completed in 1855. The main building is a
rectangular structure, about 54 feet from north to south, in the
direction of the magnetic meridian ; 44 feet from east to west,
and 16 feet in height, exclusive of the roof. At the north-west
corner and included in the above horizontal dimensions is a
square tower, 16 feet by 16 feet, the top of which is 45 feet

383

TORONTO : PAST AND PRESENT.

above the ground. From the southern face of the main building,
and at right angles to it, extends a passage 4|- feet wide, which
communicates at its southern extremity with a room 20 feet by
18 feet, appropriated to the observations for determining the
horizontal magnetic intensity. On the east and west sides of
this passage and communicating with it. by a second transverse
passage are two small rooms, the transit room and the absolute
declination room. The extreme length of the whole building is
126 feet and 73 feet wide.

Church of the Holy Trinity (omitted in Churches). —
This Church was built about twelve years ago, from an anony-
mous donation of £5,000 by a lady in England. Of this sum
over £3,000 was paid for the church, the balance being funded
for an endowment. The church is an oblong building in the
debased Gothic style, with a shallow projection for a chancel,
and two shallow transepts. There are two spiral stair cases at
the west end, terminating in battlemented turrets, repetitions of
which are used at various other points by way of ornament, and in
some cases as chimneys. The church is large and roomy.
There is a gallery in one of the transepts in which is the organ,
and another gallery in the west end. The ceiling forms an
obtuse angle, plastered and ribbed with narrow wood mouldings,
the principals showing through at intervals and curved, resting
on moulded wood corbels. The church is seated wdth low, open
benches of good construction, and is noted for its splendid choir.

384

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